A Vancouver police constable who is alleged to have interfered in a homicide investigation in Oak Bay is expected to learn next week whether he will keep his job.
The constable, whose name has not been released, was earlier found in contravention of the B.C. Police Act for allegedly committing several offences related to the homicide investigation of 31-year-old Owen Padmore, who died in December 2001.
Offences substantiated under the Police Act were two counts of deceit, one count of neglect of duty, one count of corrupt practice and one count of improper disclosure of information.
It’s now up to New Westminster Police Chief David Jones, who conducted an investigation into the officer’s actions on behalf of the Vancouver Police Department, to determine what type of discipline the constable should receive.
Sgt. Diana McDaniel, a spokesperson for the New Westminster department, said Jones was expected to make a decision after Sept. 10. The discipline Jones could impose ranges from a suspension to dismissal. The constable, a 13-year veteran, is not facing criminal charges.
The Oak Bay Police Department issued a statement in July, saying the constable allegedly revealed details of the Padmore case to a person under investigation.
The constable accessed restricted police databases without authorization and provided that information to the same person. He also failed to provide knowledge he had of the death to police, the statement said.
Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu suspended the constable with pay in August 2011 after allegations surfaced that the constable lied during the Oak Bay homicide investigation.
The constable was then put on administrative leave in March 2011. In July of this year, the Vancouver Police Board suspended the constable without pay.
Oak Bay police arrested two females and a male in connection with Padmore’s death. The females were released without charges while police recommended a charge of manslaughter against the male.
Crown counsel reviewed the evidence but decided not to approve the manslaughter charge. Police originally treated Padmore’s death as accidental and subsequently destroyed some of the exhibits seized during the initial investigation — a practice consistent with policy at the time.
An autopsy determined Padmore’s death was the result of “a closed head injury consistent with a fall.” Additional information surfaced in 2008, which led investigators to re-open the case.
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