Scam the Taxpayers, Get Half a Million -- But RCMP Get Fired for Doing Their Jobs -- Perhaps Too Well

Compare how ex-RCMP Cpl. Robert Read and ex-Staff Sgt. Robert Stenhouse were treated with the treatment accorded David Dingwall. Even the suggestion that Paul Martin's government would give him half a million dollars sticks in Canadians' craw.

Reports hint at fear that Dingwall, a Chretienite, might turn on Paul Martin & Team. The suggestion is that he was paid off after being fired.


Licia Corbella on Dingwall

Why would the feds agree to pay severance to someone who willingly quit their job?

The feds didn't pay any severance to other Crown corporation heads even after they were fired, and they never feared being sued. So why pay someone who left willingly?

Last night, Shane Diaczuk, director of communications for the Minister of National Revenue, more than hinted at the real reason: Dingwall, a Chretien crony, didn't quit -- he was pushed by the Martin regime. [. . . . ]

Search: Francoise Boivin, a former labour lawyer and now a Quebec Liberal MP

There is more about Dingwall's case and whether severance is required on Jack's Newswatch today.




Ex-RCMP Staff Sgt. Stenhouse

Stenhouse v. Canada (Attorney General) (FC) Reference: [2004] 4 F.C.R. 437

T-1174-02
2004 FC 375
Robert G. Stenhouse (Applicant)
v.
Attorney General of Canada (Respondent)

Indexed as: Stenhouse v. Canada (Attorney General) (F.C.)

Federal Court, Kelen J.--Ottawa, February 9, 10 and March 12, 2004.

Public Service -- Termination of Employment -- Whistleblower defence -- RCMP member ordered to resign or be dismissed for providing author with confidential police documentation regarding motorcycle gangs -- Freedom of public servants (including police officers) to criticize employer's interests protected at common law, by Charter -- "Whistleblowing" recognized as exception to common law duty of loyalty but defence not granting disgruntled employee licence to breach loyalty duty, secrecy oath -- Must be used responsibly -- Defence inapplicable on facts of case.

This was an application for judicial review of a decision by Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Zaccardelli confirming the External Review Committee recommendation that applicant should resign or be dismissed for having breached his oath of secrecy and office as well as the RCMP Code of Conduct. Applicant had faced disciplinary action for disclosure to an author of confidential police documentation regarding policing strategies in respect of outlaw motorcycle gangs. The author published these documents in his book Hells Angels at War.

Applicant was a sergeant, and later a staff sergeant, with the Edmonton drug section of the RCMP. He had served on the Force for some 18 years, and had been granted several promotions and a bravery commendation. Working undercover, he managed to infiltrate the Hells Angels. In view of his experience and interest, he was chosen to represent the RCMP on the Organized Crime Working Committee. It was at this time that he drafted briefing notes for Force officials recommending improvements to what he saw as flawed models for dealing with outlaw motorcycle gangs. Applicant said that he released the confidential information out of his frustration at the Force for conducting a media campaign for increased funding whilst failing to carry out adequate investigations of the criminal activities on the part of the Hells Angels. [. . . . ]

[26]The External Review Committee acknowledged that a "reasonable man" would have a reasonable apprehension that the Commissioner was biased, but said that there is no legal requirement for the Commissioner to be an independent, impartial decision maker under the RCMP Act. The External Review Committee said at paragraph 93 of its decision:

Here was someone with expert knowledge of the HA's, doing the job he was supposed to do and he lost his job. I haven't been able to find out yet whether he also lost his pension.


Undercover Mountie -- a copy of an article published in Maclean's from Nov. 26, 01 by Robert Sheppard

One was a memo Stenhouse himself had written, arguing for more coherent, targeted investigations into suspected gangs -- instead of the turf-based system that divided the force into intelligence gatherers and criminal investigators.(And further divided the drug squad into units based on commodities such as marijuana and heroin, with the result that cops were chasing after small-timers with drugs in their possession rather than focusing on the kingpins.)

Check here for whether Stenhouse was onto something -- lengthy and full of information. Do not miss this article.




Ex-RCMP Cpl. Robert Read

$500,000 Golden handshake?-Compare the way they want to treat Dingwall who billed the publicy $1.29 for his gum and the way ........... RCMP Cpl. Robert Read was treated


See also No effective whistleblower legislation

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