The oldest sergeant of the Vancouver Police Department was degraded and suspended on Tuesday after admitting that sexually harassing five women, including two classmates and three students in the universities where he taught.
The former main judge of the Provincial Court, Carole Baird Ellan, also ordered the VPD to adopt new sexual harassment policies, considering impact statements given by colleagues who said that the unwanted sexualized messages of Keiron McConnell left them degraded and anxious.
By chairing the conclusion of the Office of the Police Commissioner of Complaints in disciplinary procedures against the 56 -year -old man, Baird Ellan read of a drafted version of the presentation of the officer whose complaint caused an internal investigation into the actions of McConnell.
“Absolutely nothing in my career has had the long -term negative impact on my mental health, physical well -being, sense of community, confidence in the Vancouver Police Department, friendships and general welfare that the experience of this police accusation and subsequent investigation,” the officer wrote.
“My past, my present and my future has altered.”
McConnell admits send unwanted sexual messages
Although the woman, whose name is protected by a prohibition of publication, was the first to present, her complaint was dismissed as part of an agreement that McConnell reached last day the first day of what was supposed to be a four -week audience.
Baird Ellan read his decision in front of an current and previous police officers full of police officers, as well as representatives of a group of women trying to file a collective claim against the municipal police forces of the province.
McConnell, who first joined VPD reserves in 1988, was promoted to Sergeant in 2004, becoming part of the leadership of the VPD gang team and at the same time won a doctorate that saw him teach him in Royal Roads, Kwantlen and Simon Fraser Universities.
Complaints refer to incidents that took place between 2015 and 2019.
According to a statement of agreed events, McConnell admitted to send unwanted sexualized messages to two official women who worked under their command when it was one of the leaders of the gang team.
“The content included sexual comments about his underwear, his sexual preferences and his sexual fantasies,” reads one of the officers.
“[McConnell’s comments caused [her] Feeling degraded and she suffered anxiety as a result. He was concerned to raise the problem with him due to his position in the VPD. “
They echoed similar concerns for the three adult students attacked by McConnell, two of whom had taken courses with him before the incidents that led to complaints.
Baird Ellan read of some of the texts in which McConnell asked one of the officers what he was wearing, apologized for being “a crush”, and then said: “I’m sorry to have crossed the line. I think you[‘re] Hot and acted like an idiot … It was a thong, although … CMon. “
As she considered the case, Baird Ellan said that the use of McConnell words as “secret”, “inappropriate” and “offensive” in the texts where he indicated that he had “crossed the line.”
“If he tried to avoid situations of direct supervision, he clearly succeeded in avoiding the imbalances of power and, nevertheless, he was aware of the impropriety of many of his interactions,” he said.
‘I hope women find courage’
The public hearing has generated a discussion about the way in which sexual harassment complaints are handled both within the Vancouver Police Department and in the legislation of the Police Law that guides the OPCC procedures.
In his impact statement, one of the two officers that McConnell admitted to harass said that the process had affected.
“No woman, whether professional or as a member of the public, should have to choose between their professional aspirations and defend and do the right thing,” he wrote.
“This type of sexualized behavior is incorrect and completely unacceptable, especially for anyone who is in a reliable power position. I hope women find the courage to speak against inappropriate and unwanted sexual behavior like this.”
Degradation is considered the most serious punishment below dismissal, and the maximum suspension is 30 days. Baird Ellan pointed out the severity of the punishment according to these standards.
Outside the procedures, Helen Irvine, one of the current and previous six officers involved in collective demand, said she was disappointed by the result, although she was not surprised.
“I would ask a question,” he said.
“Can you think of another industry, another labor industry in which someone could repeatedly harass the people on whom they have a position of authority and maintain their work, especially when it has the power of authority over the public?”
