A lawyer concerned about the actions of police officers says she has now heard from nine women who have told her that they were sexually assaulted by an on-duty RNC officer.
Lynn Moore, who is considering a civil suit against the force, first posted on social media on Monday an invitation for women who have been in a dependent situation and been victimized to come forward. Seven police officers have been identified to her as having committed sexual assault including one who is still working.
She has also spoken with three women who were offered a ride home after drinking and asked to participate in sexual activity, which frightened them. Moore says she has also spoken with two women who have close friends who were sexually assaulted by on-duty police officers but those women are not ready to come forward.
RNC Superintendent Tom Warren said yesterday that there have been four investigations of officers in the past five years with significant civilian oversight, but no charges were laid.
Moore was not aware of those and is concerned about whether there was sufficient transparency. She’s interested I finding out whether those four investigations involved police officers on duty and connecting with the public, and whether the RNC had a duty to warn the public.)
A superintendent with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary says that in terms of sexual assault being a systemic issue within the force, it is not something he has had knowledge of in his career.
Yesterday, Tom Warren addressed allegations of sexual assault by RNC officers, and a potential lawsuit from lawyer Lynn Moore.
He says it is his understanding that Moore’s clients do not wish to come forward at this time to make a report. However, he did reveal that an investigation can proceed without that happening.
Warren says that in the last five years there have been four allegations of sexual assault brought forward against officers and those allegations were investigated by an external agency and had civilian oversight. He notes that each of those investigations concluded without criminal charges.
With the new allegations coming forward, Warren understands that some people may have safety concerns. However, he emphasizes that police should not be approaching people asking if they need a ride home. He says while that in itself is not a criminal offence, it is a breach of police regulations.
Warren encourages anyone with concerns about the conduct of an officer to take pictures of their patrol car, which will have a unit number on it, and to report it. Warren assures that the matters will be investigated, noting that officers offering anyone a ride home are operating outside of their jurisdiction.
(SIRT Director Mike King.)
Meanwhile, the director of SIRT-NL says he has been in contact with Lynn Moore regarding the allegations made and has indicated that the Serious Incident Response Team is ready and available to investigate.
Mike King has also been in contact with the RNC and has directed that any further information pertaining to the allegations be provided to SIRT-NL immediately.
He says SIRT-NL’s intention is to respect and support any decisions the affected persons make as to whether to come forward and make a formal complaint.
King is encouraging anyone who has been involved in, or who has information respecting a serious incident involving police, to contact them and says he believes that police officers must be held accountable for their actions.
SIRT-NL: (709) 738-SIRT (7478) or toll free at 1-833-738-SIRT (7478)
Email: sirtinfo@sirtnl.ca
