'To Serve and Protect' - while exposing the worst of oneself . . . .

[Unknown]

BRITISH COLUMBIA had an opportunity to shed itself of this scandal-riven police force, and the
current rightwing government chose instead to re-new the contract with the RCMP as their
provincial police force. Quebec . . . Ontario . . . . we envy you.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Edmonton Mountie demoted for sex in office

EDMONTON — Mounties in Edmonton say they're saddened and disturbed a senior officer repeatedly
used his office at RCMP headquarters in this city for boozing and sexual encounters with female
subordinates over a two-year period.

During a hearing last November, an RCMP adjudication board was told about seven instances of
"disgraceful conduct" established against Staff Sgt. Don Ray, formerly in charge of the
polygraph unit. It is not known how long he had been in that position.

The acts involve drinking alcohol in the workplace, inappropriate sexual contact, using the
polygraph suite for sexual encounters, and making unwelcome sexual comments towards his
subordinates. There were also reports of inappropriate and unprofessional contact with
prospective employees, and altering data on a prospective employee's security clearance form.

Ray has since been transferred and disciplined by the RCMP for his behaviour, but the
investigation hasn't been made public until now.

"It saddens me and it disturbs me," said RCMP Chief Supt. Marlin Degrand, who wasn't in charge
of the unit at the time of Ray's misconduct. "It reflects poorly on the member, but it also
reflects poorly on the organization and the really good work that's being done. These types of
incidents are a blemish to our good name and our reputation."

According to agreed facts in the board's written decision, Ray kept a bottle of Appleton rum
and other booze in a bar fridge in his office at the K-Division polygraph suite. On several
occasions, he drank alcohol within the workplace after hours, encouraging female subordinates
to join him.

In 2006, Ray offered beer to a public servant employed by the RCMP who was a subordinate in
rank/position to him, but not under his command. Over drinks, the pair engaged in conversation
that led to sex in the polygraph suite.

Ray had a sexual relationship with the woman for approximately a year. During this time, he
used the polygraph suite for drinking booze and having sex with the woman during lunch breaks
and after business hours. He also used an unmarked RCMP vehicle assigned to him to travel to
places where sexual relations occurred with the woman.

In late March or early April 2009, Ray supplied a bottle of rum and a pack of beer at his
office and encouraged his subordinates to sit and have a drink.

When all the other employees had left except for one woman, Ray engaged in inappropriate sexual
contact with her, exposing his penis through the open zipper of his pants and asking her to
touch it. He also asked her to have sex, but the woman refused.

On another occasion in April 2009, Ray and his colleagues attended a St. Albert pub, north of
Edmonton, to celebrate the transfer of a co-worker. He later had sex in a public place with one
of his female subordinates after leaving the pub together.

But Ray's risky behaviour didn't end there.

The investigation revealed Ray also engaged in "inappropriate" and "unprofessional" email
communication with prospective employees during their staffing process. He also altered data on
a prospective employee's security clearance form.

Degrand said K-Division became aware of the allegations of disgraceful conduct against Ray in
August 2009 and launched an informal investigation.

Ray admitted the allegations at the first available opportunity. He has since been transferred
to a detachment in B.C., but Degrand would not specify where he was located or what his duties
are.

"When an individual such as Sgt. Ray makes the decisions that they do and perform the
activities such as they do, it can not help but bring discredit to the rest of us and it hurts
us," said Degrand, noting the victims remain employees with the RCMP, but some have moved onto
different units to further their careers.

"I am glad that whoever anonymously decided to report this did so to our commanding officer and
I hope that they take some solace or comfort that once it was raised to our attention....we
dealt with this matter as a serious matter."

The incident marks the latest in a series of complaints of sexual harassment and rampant gender
discrimination from female RCMP officers across the country. The range of complaints run from
being in a stressful toxic work environment to sexual assault and the inability to work.

Women began speaking out after former RCMP Cpl. Catherine Galliford, a former spokeswoman on
the Missing Women Joint Task Force, went public last year with her harassment stories.

In the board's written decision delivered to all parties earlier this year, they state that Ray
conducted himself in a "disgraceful manner that brings discredit on the Force."

The board considered both dismissal and a considerable demotion, but after a joint submission
from counsel, they imposed a forfeiture of ten days pay, a demotion from the rank of staff
sergeant to sergeant, a recommendation for transfer, and a recommendation for counselling.

"It is highly disgraceful to use RCMP workplace facilities to engage in sexual activities,"
said the board in their decision. "The seven instances of misconduct describe a disturbing
pattern of activity covering a period of two years, involving inappropriate behaviour affecting
a number of women who, in one way or another, were directly involved with Staff Sergeant Ray in
his capacity."

The board noted the victim impact statements were particularly troubling, revealing wounds that
will require time and attention to heal.

Some of the women affected by the misconduct attested to a loss of faith in the RCMP as a
result not only of the actions of Ray, but also as a result of their displeasure with the
process of investigating allegations of misconduct.

"It will take considerable effort to rebuild the damaged trust in our organization," stated the
board in their decision.

Ray penned a letter of apology, acknowledging the impact of his actions on the women involved,
on his family and the force. There were also several letters of support from former colleagues
and supervisors.

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We hang the petty thieves and elect the greatest ones to public office.