The RNC has engaged SIRT-NL after learning the identity of at least one more officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman after giving her a ride home from downtown St. John’s.
SIRT-NL, the province’s new serious incident response team, is a civilian-led police oversight agency that investigates serious events involving the police.
Lawyer Lynn Moore says she has learned that at least four former RNC officers allegedly sexually assaulted women.
Moore says she’s since heard from other women who have identified up to five officers, one of whom is still with the force and on duty.
Supt. Tom Warren has confirmed the RNC has learned there are potentially four officers involved, with one of them identified internally but not publicly due to legal issues.
SIRT-NL director Mike King confirms he’s been in touch with the RNC and Moore, with a request that all relevant information to date be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, RNC Chief Joe Boland can’t speak to the case because he’s been identified as a potential witness.
It’s been learned that two complainants previously brought their allegations to Boland, though it’s not clear when that happened.
He says @ChiefJoeBoland is not addressing this situation because he has been identified as a witness. He reveals that two of the alleged victims came to Boland and he is facilitating a process for them Warren is not aware of the timelines for when Boland was approached @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/ilZlAKyRxf
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) July 21, 2021
Warren says police officers should not be offering anyone a ride home, something he calls a breach of RNC regulations.
Statement from the RNC:
RNC Stands With Victims and Survivors
(St. John’s, NL) July 21, 2021 – With the information recently brought forward by local lawyer, Ms. Lynn Moore, related to retired RNC officers allegedly involved in sexual assault and other offences, the RNC has reached out to Ms. Moore in an attempt to identify the subject officers and further determine if the victims would provide a statement to the RNC. The RNC has learned that there are four potential officers, and we have confirmed the identity of one subject officer. The subject officer whose identity is known to the RNC is a retired officer, and the RNC cannot legally disclose their identity at this time. The RNC has also been in contact with SIRT-NL, asserting our intention of support and cooperation in the process of accountability for those responsible for these alleged incomprehensible acts.
The RNC will work collaboratively with SIRT-NL and peer support groups to support the ability of victims and survivors to identify offenders. Victims have the power to report, the power to tell their story to a passionate professional, and the power to see that their abuser is held accountable for their actions. Any officer who abuses the authority vested in them to promote the safety and health of our communities has not abided by the oath they took upon becoming a member of the RNC and also have shown total disregard for our core values, and engaged in criminal activity. To echo the comments of Chief Joe Boland, these officers will be held accountable.
On behalf of the officers of the RNC who dedicate their lives to promoting the health and safety of our communities every day, we stand with victims and survivors, and we will support vulnerable persons tirelessly. Victims who come forward to report will speak with a professional sexual assault investigator, which can be organized through our community partner peer support groups, Sgt. Chelsey Guinchard of the RNC Child Abuse & Sexual Assault Unit, or Supt. Tom Warren, officer in charge of the RNC Criminal Investigation Division. You can also report directly to SIRT-NL.
The RNC strongly encourages victims and survivors of violence to come forward so those responsible can be held accountable. An allegation of sexual assault by a police officer will be assigned to SIRT-NL. Victims can also report an incident directly to them.
If you require support related to trauma, please contact CHANNAL WARMLINE at 1-855-753-2560, the NL Sexual assault Crisis and Prevention Center at 1-800-726-2743, or the NL Crisis Line at 1-888-737-4668.
