(CBC News) – The Edmonton Police Service has taken over the Yukon RCMP’s investigation into sexual assault allegations made last week against two RCMP officers in Watson Lake, Yukon.
Members of the city force have been in the Yukon since Watson Lake RCMP officers Shawn McLaughlin and Graham Belak were charged with sexual assault on March 11.
“We did send up a team of investigators who are currently in the Watson Lake area, and they will be conducting the investigation,” Edmonton police spokeswoman Karen Carlson told CBC News on Thursday.
“It’s too soon to say how long they will be there, but of course, they will be there until they reach a point when it’s time to come back to Edmonton.”
Woman alleges attack by off-duty officers
The charges against McLaughlin and Belak were laid following a complaint from a woman who said two off-duty officers attacked her on March 8 in the southern Yukon town.
The two officers have been suspended from their jobs with pay.
Yukon RCMP originally said the matter would be handled by its own major crimes section in Whitehorse, with Edmonton police overseeing the investigation to make sure that it’s conducted in an impartial manner.
But the RCMP’s commanding officer in the territory has now asked the Edmonton police to take over as primary investigators.
“As for all police agencies in Canada, the primary reasons are they want to ensure that the investigation is independent, it’s impartial and of course that it’s thorough,” Carlson said.
“Oftentimes when there are charges up against one of their own members, it’s just safer to have an independent organization come in and conduct the investigation.”
Belak and McLaughlin are scheduled to make their first court appearance in Watson Lake on April 6.
Charges put spotlight on RCMP: shelter official
The charges have raised concerns among women’s advocates that Yukon women are losing trust in the RCMP, which is responsible for policing across the territory.
But the acting head of the women’s shelter in Watson Lake said she continues to have confidence in the local RCMP detachment, even in light of the charges.
“I think there’s going to be so much spotlight on this particular situation that there will be extra efforts made to make sure that everything is done appropriately,” said Megan Cohoon, the shelter’s acting executive director.
Cohoon, a family therapist who has worked with women in the town of 850 over the past several years, said it is unrealistic to expect any segment of society to be above suspicion.
“It’s painful to be reminded that sexualized violence happens everywhere, regardless of age, sex, race, class, education or uniform,” she said.
RCMP officers have responded quickly to all incidents reported by the shelter, Cohoon said, adding that police in the community face a tough job.
“I think it’s very difficult to keep a sense of hope about you if you are an RCMP officer in our community because there is such a high level of violence that people experience here,” she said.
Cohoon said she does not know what happened in the March 8 incident but she said she hopes justice will be done.
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