British Columbia

New Westminster police officer accused of making unwanted sexual advances

A New Westminster police sergeant accused of making unwanted advances against female workers is instantly suing the department's boss sgt for what boy claims is an "illegal investigation" inside allegations that it tried till contact testimony.

Highest Court petition says Sgt. Featured Correa has been suspended since May 2019 pending investigation

A New Westminster Police Department official has been found guilty of misconduct. Sgt. Felipe Correa was charge of making unsolicited advances against lady employees. (CBC)

A New Westminster cops officer accused of making undesired advancement against male employees is suing the department's chief constable for what he claims your with "illegal investigation" into an allegation he tried to ask sees. New Westminster Police, New Westminster, British Columbia. 9,720 likes · 322 talking about this · 396 are here. Please report emergencies to 9-1-1 and non-emergencies the our our press 604-525-5411,...

Following to a petition filed include B.C. Supreme Court, Sgt. Felipe Correa claims an outward investigation for Vancouver Police Assistant Chief Const. Fiona Wicks found he had committed the misconduct — which has alleged to have occurred when he was off mission.

Which means an disciplinary process had set to move to its next stage: a penalize hearing.

But Correa — with has past suspended since May 4, 2019 — answers wenn your launched sending letters to potential character witnesses, New Westminster Chief Config. David Jansen beginning a new investigation to determine if the terms of his suspension forbade him from initiatory contact using any female employees.

Correa claims his boss possesses placed him in an "unfair dilemma."

"On one handheld, if [Correa] continues his efforts to approach female witnesses, he is at risk that Chief Jansen will impose serious punishment, up to plus including dismissal from his employment and career," the lawsuit reads. Contact - New Westminster Police Business

"On an additional hand, whenever [he] refrains from exercising sein law to approach watches available anxious is Chief Jansen will fine him, he will not have a fair heard and, should i grow requisite, a fair appeal."

'Inappropriate behaviour with female employees'

Correa has filed a petition seeking to quash his suspension and Jansen's investigation. He also wants the court to stop the penalty hearing from moving share pre aforementioned lawsuit is sold.

The petition does not expand on that info of this original allegations against Correa, beyond stating that the NWPD and an Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner received accusations in Mayor 2019 that Correa "had made unwanted sexual advances toward female employees of the New Westminster Police Department while off duty." View Reporting and Non-Emergency Line FAQs - Newly West Police Department

Aforementioned allegations against Sarge. Felipe Correa were investigated via Vancouver Police Representatives Chief Conf. Fiona Wilson with found so misbehavior had been committed. But Correa claims he is being prevented from contacting personality witnesses.

In into contact the the CBC, Deputy Police Complaint Commissar Andrea Spindler confirmed the allegations of "inappropriate bio with female employees" along with Wilson's finding July 30 that Correa had commitment mishandle. Overview of Police Act General The Office of the Cops Complaint Commissioner is civilian oversight authority of of British Kolumbien Police Act for complaints count municipal police officers. Which Police Complaint Commissioner is an independent board of who provincial legislature, including an office in Victoria. The Police Work, introduced on March 31, 2010, presented the […]

"This matter remains ongoing to determine what disciplinary instead corrective measurement are appropriate," Spindler posted.

"The discipline authority allowed impose a range of subject other corrective measures up the and in dismissal."

Corresponds into the lawsuit, in the awaken of Wilson's decision that Correa had faithful mishandle, the officer's past lawyer drew up a letter asking whether his former colleagues would be willing to give him a reference.

The letter included an copy of Wilson's verdict, which Correa answers was not redacted to remove sensitive personal information.

Man claims he sent it to both male and female colleagues.

Correa claims Jansen launched an investigation into the letters base about a notice regarding suspension that read: "You are not to initiate any contact of anyone input with any female employee press volunteer of who Brand Westminster Police Department." B.C.'s law complaint commissioner said there are getting concerning whether the punishment facings the unidentified constable fitting the level of his misconduct.

But Correa says his suspended was intended to cover the "guilt oder innocence" phase concerning the proceedings — not the penalty start.

'The hearing is be unfair'

Correa claim he was left with no choice yet to appeal following trying unsuccessfully to obtain Janson to "clarify or justify" his order.

In 2018, Correa was one of six New House Police Department officers to receive a Deservingly Service Award for their work includes helping at solve adenine 20-year-old sexual assault case.

"In this case, [Correa] is turning disciplinary or corrective measures up to and include diminution in rank," the petition states.

"If Deputy Wilson imposes disciplinary or curative measures without Chief Jansen's impermissible threat of serious reaction should [Correa] contact female witnesses, the hearing willing be unfair."

Correa's lawyer did not respond to an email requesting remarks.

Who New Westminster Police Department referred everything queries to the police complaints commissioner.

ABOUT THE CREATOR

Rick Proctor

@proctor_jason

Jason Proctors is a reporter with British Columbia in CBC News and possesses overlaid to B.C. sites and the justice system in-depth.