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A Vernon RCMP officer has had his pay docked and been transferred to another department for lying to his superiors about evidence and failing to properly investigate complaints.

According to a recently published RCMP Conduct Board decision from Sept. 1, Vernon North Okanagan Const. Greg Ternan failed to provide complete, accurate and timely accounts of his actions while working as a police officer.

In one instance, he was ordered to seize two restricted rifles as the owner's licence had expired.

On discovering that the gun owner was deceased, Const. Ternan then called the wife of the late firearms owner and asked her to "get rid of them" before writing "file concluded" on the paperwork.

READ MORE: Vernon RCMP officer accused of misconduct

In another instance, while working as the lead investigator on a case about a stolen cheque, Const. Ternan lied to his superiors saying the cheque had been destroyed.

"Const. Ternan’s statements that the cheque was 'destroyed' and that there was 'no evidence' are both admittedly false," the RCMP Conduct Board decision said. "Const. Ternan in fact did not destroy the cheque, but retained possession of the cheque and later placed it into a sealed exhibit bag before turning it over to Supt. Baher. Const. Ternan agrees that the continuity over the safety check as an exhibit was lost as a result of his careless actions."

In another incident Const. Ternan was ordered to track down a homeless person as they'd been subpoenaed to testify in a trial.

However, Const. Ternan "neglected to take all reasonable investigative actions to locate" the person. The police officer then failed to document what steps he'd taken to find the homeless person and wrote on the paperwork, "The trial date has passed. Please conclude."

Const. Ternan admitted to four allegations that took place between May 17, 2019, and Feb. 19, 2020. Two other allegations against the officer were withdrawn by the police Conduct Authority.

The decision says Const. Ternan made a series of mistakes in a case where a vehicle had been broken into and cheques had been stolen and then cashed for $1,200.

The decision says the file required a "reasonably competent investigation" by Const. Ternan.

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However, Const. Ternan again failed to listen to his superior and botched the investigation.

"Please conclude this file as there was no lose (sic) of any funds by (the victim). The banks were notified of stolen cheques and eventually froze the account. It is not in the public's interest to proceed with charges," he wrote in the paperwork.

He now admits this was a failure in his obligations as an RCMP officer.

The decision says Const. Ternan's actions did not severely impact the rights of a third party and the police officer did not personally benefit from his actions.

The Conduct Board concludes the officer's behaviour to be in the mid-range of misconduct.

"Const. Ternan repeatedly disregarded his supervisors’ directions. He knowingly made a false entry in (police records) which misled his supervisors," the decision reads.

Ultimately, Const. Ternan was fined 11 days pay, has to forfeit 10 days of annual leave, and will be transferred to another RCMP detachment.

The decision says transferring Const. Ternan to another region will allow him to make a "fresh start."

"Const. Ternan is being permitted to continue his career with the RCMP. However, any future contravention of the Code of Conduct will be seriously reviewed by the appropriate conduct authority and could lead to his dismissal from the Force," the decision says.

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