The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has concluded the public hearing of Keiron McConnell, who had been accused of several instances of sexual misconduct throughout his career.
During his hearing, McConnell admitted he was guilty of sexually harassing five women, whom he had a position of power over—both while as an instructor at several post-secondary institutions, including Royal Roads University, and as an officer with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
According to the OPCC, McConnell has accepted responsibility for his actions, and he admitted to sending “unsolicited and unwanted” electronic messages of a sexual nature as well as trying to initiate physical contact with a former student that was unwanted.
His hearing’s adjudicator, Carol Baird Ellan, sought to impose “significant consequences” against McConnell for his actions.
She decided that his rank would be reduced from Sergeant to First Class Constable, but did not specify what his rank would be going forward and she determined he would have a “substantial period of unpaid suspension.”
His suspension without pay was decided to last just 20 days.
It is important to note that during the OPCC investigation into McConnell’s actions—which lasted over two years—an anonymous source from within the VPD told Victoria Buzz he has been taking home his full salary.
According to VPD records, his full salary could be anywhere between $90,000 and $140,000.
McConnell will also have to undergo mandatory counseling and training and his work will be closely supervised going forward.
Related:
- Former Royal Roads instructor and VPD officer accused of sexual misconduct
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Adjudicator Baird Ellan determined that although his actions revealed a pattern of inappropriate behaviour with multiple women, they did not meet the benchmark for McConnell to lose his job as a police officer, saying they fell “just short of dismissal.”
“Today’s decision emphasizes the necessary and appropriate expectations placed on police officers in how they conduct themselves in the workplace and beyond, and reaffirms the importance of denouncing sexual misconduct,” said Prabhu Rajan, Police Complaint Commissioner.
“I am grateful for the participation of the women impacted by Keiron McConnell’s behaviour and appreciative of their courage, strength, and resilience in bringing to light the harmful effects of sexualized conduct.”
Rajan noted that VPD did not participate in the hearing’s proceedings and the work of the adjudicator would have been made easier if they had, considering some of his sexual misconduct involved VPD officers.
This is of particular concern, because VPD was the police organization selected by the OPCC to investigate McConnell’s misconduct.
“The misconduct admitted by McConnell does not develop in a vacuum. We must seek to address any officer behaviour that causes victims not to come forward due to fear of intimidation and retaliation,” Rajan continued.
“Police officers hold influential positions in society and sexual harassment must be assessed in the context of inherent power imbalances and dynamics.”
In addition to overseeing McConnell’s hearing, Adjudicator Baird Ellan created a list of recommendations for the VPD, in an effort to help them avoid having their officers perpetuate, or become victims of sexual misconduct.
The full decision and list of recommendations can be found online, here.
