A misconduct case involving British Columbia RCMP officers has taken a new turn as closing submissions reveal admissions of breaches in the force’s code of conduct. The case, which alleges racist, sexist, and discriminatory comments were exchanged in group chats and on police computer terminals by Coquitlam constables Ian Solven, Mersad Mesbah, and Philip Dick, now faces scrutiny over the fairness of the investigation.
While admitting to sending messages that breached the code of conduct, Dick’s lawyer, Anita Atwal, argues that the investigation was biased against her client, describing it as a “witch hunt” with focused “tunnel vision.” The officers are at risk of dismissal for discreditable conduct stemming from offensive comments, including racial and homophobic slurs, targeting both colleagues and the public.
In contrast, John MacLaughlan, representing the RCMP conduct authority, emphasized the seriousness of the officers’ misconduct, labeling the comments as “objectively wrong” and urging the board to uphold allegations of discrimination and discreditable conduct against Dick. He highlighted that the offensive nature of the communications was undeniable, pointing out that those privy to the messages found them offensive or, at the very least, racist.
This development in the case sheds light on the complexities surrounding the investigation and the implications for the officers involved.