Day 2 of Hearing of RCMP Officer- Hooker Allegations

Tuesday, October 03, 2006 01:45 AM

Suspended Prince George RCMP officer Justin Harris went on the attack at his disciplinary tribunal yesterday - demanding it protect his image, then, having won that motion, demanding that the tribunal dissolve itself because the charges took longer to bring than the one year limit imposed by the RCMP Act.

Harris is represented by ex-RCMP member and lawyer Reg Harris, who says they are not related.

Reg Harris told the tribunal that Cst. Justin Harris works covert operations - including dealing with a high level criminal element with a documented history of violence.

Harris’ safety, and his ability to return to covert operations when cleared of the charges, would be compromised if the news media were allowed to show his face, or even provide written descriptions of the officer.

The tribunal, adjudicating three counts of alleged disreputable conduct dating back to October of 1993 involving under-aged Prince George street prostitutes agreed, and banned publication of video, photos, illustrations, and written descriptions of Cst. Harris.

Having won that, Harris’ lawyer insisted the tribunal quash the rest of the hearing on the grounds it is in violation of section 43.8 of the RCMP Act, which provides a member must be presented with charges within one year of identification of the member and the alleged disciplinary infraction.

The tribunal is refusing to make public documents submitted as evidence, including investigation reports, reports by the RCMP Anti-Corruption Unit, and high level emails discussing initial allegations against as many as 9 Prince George RCMP officers

The first witness called against Cst. Justin Harris was RCMP Assistant Commissioner Bev Busson. She vouched the certificate charging Cst. Justin Harris with six counts of disreputable conduct (unspecified) dating back to October 1993, saying she signed it on the 12th of July, 2006.

The hearing was told yesterday that three of the six counts have been dropped.

Busson said very little regarding the allegations against Prince George officers was on her radar before June 1st, 2004.

At that time, Judge David Ramsay had pleaded guilty in the face of statements and imminent testimony from a number of Prince George teen street hookers.

Busson said at that point she knew there were allegations that Cst. Harris, and other officers, had been involved with under-aged prostitutes. But she said she did not recall the allegation that Cst. Harris has used force in obtaining sex from an under-aged prostitute.

Busson said she assured herself that "appropriate action was being taken to revitalize this investigation" after the Ramsay guilty plea, which she said enhanced the information.

The tribunal is protecting the identities of the complainants with a ban.

Busson said she forwarded the investigation to the RCMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit; somehow there had been some "miscommunication " over who was following up.

Busson consistently maintained there was not sufficient information to support disciplinary charges against Harris earlier in the process.

Later, Sgt. Judy Thomas of the North District major crimes unit testified the primary investigation dated back to April of 1999.

In September of 99 one sex trade worker identified by the initials H.H. related allegations about "dating" a judge and a police officer.

But Thomas - an 18 year veteran of the force - indicated it wasn’t until years later they were able to obtain statements from the girls, which were passed to Prince George Supt. Leach and to the Anti-Corruption Unit at E Division Headquarters.

Thomas was the primary investigator in the Judge Ramsay case and is credited with convincing the street workers to give statements against the Judge.

Outside the hearing, retired Staff Sgt. Scott Harris, Justin's dad, told reporters his son is a very hard-working officer who was not well liked by the element in Prince George which does not obey the law.

He says he believes the process will vindicate his son, but he's disappointed with some aspects of the investigation.

Harris says the ordeal has been very hard on Justin, who is married. He said some people will always believe "where there is smoke, there is fire".

The senior Harris says he would like to have the hearing quashed, as moved by Justin's lawyer, but he would also like to see the allegations dealt with, to see his son vindicated.

The hearing continues today , with summary arguments from Counsel on a motion to quash the hearing over the issue of the force violating the one-year to charge requirement of the Act.