A Victoria police constable found to have lied about skipping out on the last day of a three-day work conference in Vancouver is facing discipline.
Police complaint commissioner Clayton Pecknold has ordered a review of the discipline imposed on Const. Marty Steen for deceit and neglect of duty.
Deputy Chief Steve Ing heard rumours in April 2018 that Steen attended only the first day of the conference, held in February of that year.
When asked about it, Steen told his supervisor he went to all but two presentations. He later told the supervisor that he attended only one training session on the conference’s final day.
He also submitted expense claims for lunch on two days, despite lunch being provided by the conference.
Steen was investigated under the Police Act.
On March 7, 2019, Deputy Chief Colin Watson, acting as the discipline authority, found that Steen had neglected his duty by failing to attend the training conference. Watson proposed that Steen receive a verbal reprimand as discipline for this misconduct, said the OPCC notice of review.
Watson also found Steen committed deceit by making misleading statements about his attendance to his supervisors on March 29, 2018, and April 11, 2018. The discipline for this was revocation of Steen’s pending promotion.
At the time the matter arose, Steen had been on a list for promotion to sergeant. Victoria Police Chief Del Manak decided to delay the promotion pending the outcome of the investigation.
At the discipline proceeding, Steen told Watson that deceit by a police officer is always serious, but said the circumstances in his case were less serious than those that affect the public or the administration of justice. He told Watson there was “zero chance of future misconduct,” that this was a lapse in judgment and completely out of character.
Watson was concerned that Steen did not seem to be taking full responsibility for his conduct.
The deputy chief said he believed that a reasonable person would be troubled to learn that an officer, in these circumstances, would be promoted to a position of increased authority, influence and responsibility.
He was also “concerned there would be a high degree of general concern among police officers within the department with a promotion at this time.”
On March 12, 2019, Steen asked for what is called a review on the record.
Officers are entitled to a review when disciplined with a dismissal or reduction in rank.
Pecknold found that the proposed discipline did not amount to an actual reduction in rank, and ordered that it be reviewed.
“Even though Constable Steen was set to be promoted to the rank of sergeant, he was not promoted due to the Chief Constable exercising his discretion to not promote Constable Steen,” said the OPCC notice of review.
“Constable Steen remained a first class constable throughout the investigative and disciplinary process. Referring to this disciplinary measure as ‘a reduction in rank’ is not correct.”
In ordering the review, Pecknold also cited the seriousness of the complaint and the fact that the case could undermine public confidence in police.
Ron McKinnon, a retired B.C. Supreme Court justice, has been appointed to determine appropriate discipline for the deceit.
