A well-known and decorated Alberta RCMP officer facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving female co-workers has resigned and will face no disciplinary action, RCMP told Global News Wednesday.
Const. Pernell Cardinal of the Maskwacis RCMP detachment was being investigated for six counts of sexual misconduct. An RCMP spokesman confirmed in late September that three of those counts were substantiated during an internal RCMP hearing.
The exact details of the incidents were not released by the RCMP.
Cardinal was suspended by the force in September, although it’s not known if he was suspended with or without pay. He was given two weeks to appeal the decision.
READ MORE: Alberta RCMP officer suspended after accusations of sexual misconduct
Cardinal has been in the news often, as an RCMP spokesperson for the Chelsea Yellowbird case. Yellowbird, 23, was shot and killed outside a residence on Samson Cree Nation in September 2011.
In 2010, Cardinal was awarded a Canada Bravery Medal for saving a man from a burning house at Samson Cree Nation with his partner, Const. David Lee.
Cardinal’s brother, Perry, is also a member of the Maskwacis RCMP.
One year ago, the RCMP was defending its workplace policies against a class action lawsuit from nearly 400 female RCMP officers and civilian employees.
The lawsuit alleges systemic harassment, bullying and gender discrimination. A third of the women involved are still employed by the RCMP.