TORONTO – The RCMP says that involved officers were disciplined and inappropriate practices were banned following allegations of assault in 1987 that has caused a former Musical Ride member to sue the national police force decades later.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Caroline O’Farrell and her lawyers made public their intention to sue the RCMP on Tuesday, saying the cruel behaviour she suffered in the 1980s left her with post-traumatic stress, led to a marriage breakdown and stunted her prospects with the force.
O’Farrell filed a statement of claim in Ontario Superior Court, alleging she was sexually assaulted, harassed, repeatedly doused in cold water and dragged through horse feces by colleagues.
On Wednesday, the RCMP released a statement saying the force is “disappointed to see that this is now coming to a civil claim, 25 years after the alleged events.”
The RCMP cited a June 1988 article by the Ottawa Citizen, which quoted then-RCMP Commissioner Norman Inkster as stating, “To say that I am appalled and furious would be an understatement. Once we learned of it swift and appropriate action was taken.”
The statement said O’Farrell’s complaint was investigated after it was brought forth in 1987, and that the RCMP is “committed to providing a harassment free workplace and continues to improve its handling of disciplinary issues in an efficient and effective manner.”
“Any RCMP member found to have contravened the RCMP Code of Conduct may be disciplined. Depending on the seriousness of the contravention/incident, disciplinary actions can be informal or formal and sanctions vary in scope. In addition to facing internal discipline, members are subject to the same criminal law process as all Canadian citizens,” said the statement.
O’Farrell, 52, argues an internal investigation at the time substantiated more than 100 instances of harassment but no real action was taken by her supervisors.
“Some of the harassers received informal discipline (counseling and warnings); others received no form of censure at all,” says her statement of claim. It also names several current and former Mounties, and says some of her tormentors continue to work in senior positions in the RCMP today.
O’Farrell, who still serves with the RCMP, is seeking millions of dollars in damages for assault, sexual assault, infliction of mental suffering, loss of income and pension entitlement, and breach of contract.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
With files from The Canadian Press
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