An Edmonton-based Mountie has been demoted and fined for disgraceful conduct – including drinking on the job and having sex with subordinates while at work.
An RCMP disciplinary board reprimanded Staff Sgt. Don Ray, who had been a member of the behavioural sciences unit at the RCMP headquarters in Edmonton.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Ray had kept a bar fridge stocked with liquor in his office – and had regularly offered alcoholic beverages to subordinates.
The statement also says he had sex with one subordinate in the RCMP polygraph suite, and also in an unmarked police car, the encounters reportedly dated back to 2006.
Ray also made sexually suggestive comments to other female RCMP members, and female civilian employees – he also admitted to exposing himself to a female employee on one occassion.
In addition, he admitted to having a 12-month relationship with another RCMP employee, the pair reportedly drank and had sex in the polygraph suite at RCMP headquarters in Edmonton – during lunch breaks and after work.
A total of seven women were involved, before reports of the incidents reached Ray's superiors.
"There was a great deal of reluctance on the part of some of the people involved in this matter to speak with us," Chief Supt. Marlin Degrand said.
While Ray has not faced criminal charges, disciplinary action against him included a loss of 10 days-worth of his salary, a demotion from Staff Sergeant to Sergeant, and recommended counseling – he's also reportedly agreed to transfer to British Columbia, however RCMP officials would not say where.
Ray has not been fired because he readily admitted to the offences, and apologized for his misconduct.
However, CTV News has learned its likely Ray would be dismissed if any similar incidents occur.
RCMP said all of the victims involved still work with the force, and will have the proper support available to them.
In a report on the incidents, the disciplinary board said Ray's conduct has damaged trust in the RCMP.
"It cannot help but bring discredit to the rest of us, and it hurts us," Degrand said.
With files from Sean Amato