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Canadian Mounties face sexual harassment allegations | Canadian Mounties face sexual harassment allegations |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Canadian Mounties will investigate the force's handling of sexual harassment claims, says the force's new commissioner, Bob Paulson. | The Canadian Mounties will investigate the force's handling of sexual harassment claims, says the force's new commissioner, Bob Paulson. |
The probe comes after a high-profile female Mountie alleged constant harassment, including officers exposing themselves to her. | The probe comes after a high-profile female Mountie alleged constant harassment, including officers exposing themselves to her. |
Her public statement has led to additional allegations from current and former female Mounties. | Her public statement has led to additional allegations from current and former female Mounties. |
Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews also called for an investigation. | Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews also called for an investigation. |
"This not about dealing with individual complaints but getting to the bottom of a system that seems to be failing members of the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police]," Mr Toews told reporters. | "This not about dealing with individual complaints but getting to the bottom of a system that seems to be failing members of the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police]," Mr Toews told reporters. |
'Cannot stand' | 'Cannot stand' |
Corporal Catherine Galliford, a former RCMP spokeswoman, said years of sexual harassment led to her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia. | Corporal Catherine Galliford, a former RCMP spokeswoman, said years of sexual harassment led to her diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and agoraphobia. |
In a 115-page internal complaint she provided to CBC News, Cpl Galliford says she faced constant harassment from several senior officers since graduating from the RCMP Academy in 1991. | |
"Everything that came out of his [a supervisor's] mouth was sexual," she said "If I had a dime for every time one of my bosses asked me to sit on his knee, I'd be on a yacht in the Bahamas right now." | "Everything that came out of his [a supervisor's] mouth was sexual," she said "If I had a dime for every time one of my bosses asked me to sit on his knee, I'd be on a yacht in the Bahamas right now." |
Cpl Galliford also alleges a supervisor exposed himself to her while working a Missing Women's Task Force. | |
Krista Carle, one of four women officers who say they were sexually assaulted by an undercover officer during the 1990s, said the RCMP did not react properly to their claims. | |
"I know for a fact there are at least six women that I know [who] have left the force or are still in that have suffered harassment," Ms Carle told CBC. | |
"I'm sure there are others who are afraid to come forward for fear of reprisals." | |
Cpl Galliford says she will join her colleagues in suing the RCMP. | |
Image 'tarnished' | Image 'tarnished' |
The RCMP has been criticised for its handling of other matters in recent months - including the kidnapping of Robert Fowler, a diplomat who was snatched in Niger, as well as failing to prevent a riot in Vancouver after a hockey game in June. | |
Mr Paulson, a veteran officer who was announced as RCMP's new commissioner on Wednesday, said the sexual harassment investigation would be the first step in repairing the Mounties' damaged reputation. | Mr Paulson, a veteran officer who was announced as RCMP's new commissioner on Wednesday, said the sexual harassment investigation would be the first step in repairing the Mounties' damaged reputation. |
"These allegations do not represent the force that I joined and this condition cannot stand," Mr Paulson said on Wednesday. | "These allegations do not represent the force that I joined and this condition cannot stand," Mr Paulson said on Wednesday. |
"I am not prepared to say the [force's] image has been tarnished to the extent that there is no hope out there." | "I am not prepared to say the [force's] image has been tarnished to the extent that there is no hope out there." |