The New Westminster Police Service has been advised by the Vancouver Police Department that they are forwarding charge recommendations to Crown Counsel against one of our police officers stemming from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of January 21st, 2009. These criminal charges are now before Crown Counsel for charge approval.
Our Professional Standards section continues their investigation into our members actions that morning.
The members status continues to be suspended with pay.
Allegations of this nature against one of our police officers is very serious and disconcerting, not only to our organization, but also to the citizens we serve.
I want to assure the public that behavior of this nature, whether on or off duty, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. At the same time, I ask for the public’s patience and trust during this investigation as members of the police must be afforded the same due process as any other member of the public.
– Chief Constable Lorne Zapotichny