IIO not commenting on alleged suspension of high-ranking staff member

The Independent Investigations Office isn’t commenting after a report one of their members was suspended following an embarrassing Halloween party incident.

Clinton Sadlemyer is the organization’s Director of Legal Services, and served as Acting Chief Civilian Director for several months this year.

But former police officer Leo Knight of Prime Time Crime says he was suspended after wearing a Guy Fawkes mask at an October 31 office party.

The reason? The IIO’s highest-profile investigation this year involved an RCMP officer fatally shooting James McIntyre, a 48-year-old Dawson Creek resident – and McIntyre was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask when he was shot.

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Knight says complaints were quickly made by several staff members, and Sadlemyer was suspended for two weeks without pay.

The IIO and provincial government wouldn’t confirm the report, but did admit an incident of some sort occurred at the party.

“We are aware of the reports related to an incident at the IIO involving a member of the staff. As this is an HR matter, I can’t speak to the details. What I can say is that we expect members of the public service – wherever they work – to adhere to the standards of conduct,” said a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.

“I’m confident that Mr. Rosenthal and the IIO has addressed this issue sufficiently and that this isn’t reflective of any larger concerns in the organization.”

Marten Youssef, Manager of Strategic Communications for the IO, said they were also aware of the report.

“IIO staff are members of the BC public service and are expected to adhere to the highest standard of conduct. In this instance, steps have been taken to reinforce those standards,” he wrote in a statement.

“This is a personnel matter and as such, we are not able to comment further.”