Big story in The Province today exposing the “culture of harassment” at Transit Police.

Not surprisingly, the Transit Police were caught red-handed in an untruth: in February, they claimed Cst. Tabatha Swadron was on leave for “personal reasons.” The truth: Cst. Swadron was off “due to sexual harassment against her that resulted in a number of her co-workers being disciplined for ‘terrible’ behaviour.”

From the Province:

The Province later confirmed information from multiple sources that Swadron had been victimized in front of a number of officers while on duty on the Canada Line. Sexual jokes were being made among fellow officers, which is common, according to an internal source.

But this time “bantering got out of hand” and a male officer allegedly pulled Swadron’s head toward his crotch. Swadron didn’t complain, but a witness did. The incident was reportedly not taken seriously by a supervisor, so the complaint was sent to the Transit Police Board, and a lawyer was tasked with reporting findings internally.

I had heard about this investigation quite some time ago and even filed a Freedom of Information request for documentation (and invoices from the legal firm investigating it), but was denied by Transit Police.

It’s my understanding that the external investigator was originally Susan Arnold of Heenan Blaikie. Of course, HB went bankrupt earlier this year; according to Canadian Lawyer Magazine, Arnold formed her own firm with two other ex-HB types: Sheen Arnold McNeil. One assumes the Transit Police file went with her.

More from the Province:

A number of officers were eventually disciplined as a result of the Swadron investigation. How widespread the harassment behaviour was isn’t clear, and how stern the discipline was in this case isn’t agreed among sources. Harassment incidents weren’t limited to Swadron, an internal source said. “It was disturbing ... it was terrible,” one source said.

One wonders how the Transit Police can spearhead a campaign against sexual harassment on transit when they themselves are embroiled in it. Certainly the irony could not have been lost on the officers involved.

So, time to come clean, Transit Police:

• How many cops were disciplined?
• What were the punishments?
• Is Cst. Swadron back on the job, and was she compensated in any way for this mistreatment?
• When will you release the investigation report?
• How much did the lawyers cost?
• Will other agencies be involved?
• Were any of the actions by your officers criminal in nature?
• Has this file been referred to an outside police agency for independent investigation?
• Why did your communications officer not tell the truth in February about the reason for Cst. Swadron’s leave of absence?
• Are these officers still on the beat?