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The lawyer for the RCMP’s conduct authority says a Mountie accused of making racist and sexist comments in group chats should be dismissed immediately or directed to resign within 14 days.
John MacLaughlan says Const. Ian Solven “has severed the employment relationship with the RCMP” with misconduct that “strikes at the core of the RCMP organizational values.”
In November, RCMP adjudicator Louise Morel found that Coquitlam constables Solven, Mersad Mesbah and Philip Dick committed discreditable conduct when they posted racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in a group chat with other officers and on police computer terminals.
Court documents show that the allegations against Solven, Dick and Mesbah came to light after one of their fellow officers complained about what he saw as “atrocious” and “racist and horrible” activity by his colleagues.
MacLaughlan told an adjudication board hearing on Friday that Solven’s actions and comments raised concern about the administration of justice and RCMP operations, with comments that “denigrate colleagues” and dehumanized “the most vulnerable members of society.”
Solven says he was proud to be an RCMP member, and he still feels this way while recognizing that he failed to live up to the force’s expectations and its core values, and he “truly regrets” his actions.
Morel scheduled her oral decision for Wednesday.
CBC has obtained court documents detailing what one Mountie described as “atrocious,” racist” and “horrible” activity in a private RCMP chat group operating on the encrypted Signal messaging app. Code of conduct hearings are underway against three Coquitlam RCMP officers that could result in their dismissal from the force.
Solven blamed his actions on his frustrations and personal issues, which got to a point where he was “taking cheap shots” at co-workers.
Solven said Friday he would deal with frustrations and tensions with integrity and respect, and “never repeat these actions again.”
A key figure has testified at the code of conduct hearing for three Coquitlam RCMP officers. The men face dismissal for allegedly participating in racist and derogatory group chats. As Jon Hernandez reports, the chats were uncovered by a fellow Mountie in 2021, who has now spoken at the hearing.
MacLaughlan said he was not asking the board to hold anyone to the standard of perfection.
But he said the misconduct at issue “strays far from the line of what can be considered acceptable workplace conduct.”
The lawyer said that Solven once described a naked woman in a homeless shelter as “his entertainment.”
He said allowing Solven to return to work would be “tone-deaf.”
“I don’t want to go on and on about it, but this is a matter that has garnered national media attention. To put it very plainly, the public is watching,” said MacLaughlan.
The RCMP is seeking the officers’ dismissals, while all three members remain suspended with pay.
