RCMP officer Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson arrives at court in New Westminister, B.C. Friday, March, 23, 2012. Robinson has been discharged from the RCMP. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
July 20, 2012 - 1:46 PM
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - The senior Mountie involved in the Robert Dziekanski case who was later convicted in a deadly motorcycle crash has been discharged from the RCMP.
Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, the force's top commander in British Columbia, says in a statement that he has signed discharge papers for Cpl. Monty Robinson.
Robinson was convicted earlier this year of obstruction of justice for his actions following a motorcycle crash in Delta in October 2008, which killed 21-year-old Orion Hutchinson.
He was also the senior officer on duty during Robert Dziekanski's fatal confrontation with the RCMP at Vancouver's airport, and he's currently facing a perjury charge for his testimony at a public inquiry.
Callens has been among top RCMP officials who have complained it's too difficult to fire bad apples, and he has raised Robinson as an example of an officer who he wanted to fire but couldn't.
Callens says he was seeking Robinson's involuntary dismissal, and he says the opportunity to discharge Robinson eliminates further delays and costs.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012