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Lawyer points to pattern in suicides of 2 female B.C. cops involved
with senior officers
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**NOTE: This article contains sensitive descriptions regarding
suicide. Please read at your discretion.**
A lawyer representing the families of two female B.C. police officers
who took their own lives, following relationships with senior
officers, says she's concerned the cases are signs of a larger
pattern.
Gloria Ng represents the families of Jasmine Thiara and Nicole Chan.
Thiara, an RCMP constable, took her life in Richmond in February 2021
after alleging she was bullied by a senior officer she was involved
with. Chan, a Vancouver police officer, died by suicide in January
2019, two years after lodging complaints about harassment during
relationships with two senior officers.
2:06 Family angry about IIO report on RCMP officer's death
"Seemingly, two both extremely talented bright young women who both
had a passion for service for their community, both seem to have been
caught up in a situation where there was bullying, at least alleged
(bullying). We heard it from Nicole's words, we heard it from
Jasmine's words," Ng told Global News.
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She said she hoped to help the families get more answers.
"Is there some type of larger concern at play in terms of these tragic
situations, of women who are in these policing positions, who
seemingly have complained about treatment within the force? And
whether or not there is, some type of larger pattern of disturbing
behaviour."
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Thiara's family spoke out this week after receiving a report by B.C.'s
civilian police watchdog the Independent Investigations Office (IIO),
which concluded the constable's death was a result of "a constellation
of factors related to various aspects" of her life, but ruled out
bullying or criminal harassment.
The four-page report did not go into the details of those factors,
citing privacy. Thiara's sister, Raven Thiara, said it has left her
with more questions than answers.
Among the critical details Raven said were not addressed was the fact
her sister was nearly 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, and
that she had sent text messages saying she was being bullied.
2:15 VPD set to adopt recommendations after officer's suicide
"Bullying includes grooming. It includes hazing, it includes
harassment, sexual or otherwise, and it includes any form of power
imbalance of power balance, it's automatic when it's a superior
officer in a relationship with a subordinate officer," she told Global
News.
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Ng said the lack of detail in the IIO's report — including
investigative steps and records of Thiara's communications — makes it
difficult for the family to understand how the watchdog concluded
bullying was not a factor.
In Chan's case, she said, a coroner's inquest ultimately recommended
the Vancouver Police Department update its definition of bullying to
include gossip.
"What practices are in place? What policies are in place (within the
RCMP) to ensure that if a member does feel like she is being bullied
for whatever reason…what recourses are there?" she said.
"Being able to know those things and to be able to satisfy ourselves
that indeed, a fully complete investigation had been completed, that's
what the family is still missing, and seemingly, nobody is rushing to
provide them with those answers."
2:35 Former veteran RCMP officer reacts to death of Constable Jasmine
Thiara
In the Chan case, the VPD ultimately dismissed Sgt. Dave Van Patten
and suspended Sgt. Greg McCullough, who later resigned. Both had
sexual relationships with Chan.
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Raven Thiara said she wants to see a similar outcome in her sister's
case.
"We're hoping that bullies no longer carry guns and wear badges just
like Nicole Chan's bullies no longer do, I want the same for Jasmine,"
she said.
While the IIO has wrapped its probe of the death, a separate internal
investigation within the RCMP continues.
_ **If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources
are available. In case of an emergency, please call 9-1-1 for
immediate help.**_
_ **For a directory of support services in your area, visit the
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention at
suicideprevention.ca.**_
_ **Learn more about preventing suicide with these warning signs and
tips on how to help.**_
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