New member of Calgary Police Service says he felt forced to quit RCMP

CALGARY- A B.C. Mountie has accepted a job with the Calgary Police Service after he says he felt forced out of his career with the RCMP.

Tad Malmine says he recently resigned from the RCMP after his employers told him his extra-curricular activities posed a conflict of interest with his position.

Drawing from his own experience as a gay man, Malmine spent his time outside of work hours speaking to young people across British Columbia about bullying. But the RCMP wanted him to alter his program.

“If I was going to continue doing the program, then I would have to determine my employment,” says Malmine. “Because I was going to be disciplined…I’m disobeying a direct order.”

Malmine says to some degree, he felt he had to quit the force because he’s gay.

“There’s policies, to human resources challenges, to conflict, to egos, to my being stubborn,” says Malmine. “I am convinced my sexuality does play a significant role in that.”

Now, Malmine is moving to Alberta, accepting a job offer with the Calgary Police Service. Calgary police say they take pride in being an inclusive employer.

“Policing has the stereotype of being the alpha male role,” says Cst. Andy Buck with the Calgary Police Service. “There are no barriers to being a successful police officer.”

The RCMP say they have strict conflict of interest guidelines in place with respect to fundraising as well as the image an uniform of the RCMP.

with files from Jill Croteau