Disciplinary action has been recommended for a Delta police officer after a public complaint over improper traffic violation tickets.
According to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) Const. Byron Ritchie has denied the allegations against him and has requested a Review on the Record into the disciplinary decision.
The OPCC said that review would commence in the near future.
On Aug. 29, 2016, a Sergeant of the Greater Vancouver Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) advised the Delta police that a complaint had been received against Ritchie, a member of the IRSU.
The public complaint was from a member of the public whose wife had been issued a violation ticket by Ritchie on July 15, 2016.
According to the OPCC, Ritchie stopped the female driver after he had observed her talking on her cell phone while driving. Ritchie issued a ticket for failure to wear a seat belt and for failure to produce vehicle insurance. The female driver stated that she was wearing a seat belt and had produced the vehicle’s insurance papers for the officer. Ritchie told the driver that she was “getting a break” with the noted offences as the combined fines were less than receiving a ticket for distracted driving.
Following a review by the IRSU, a formal investigation was launched by the OPCC in September 2016.
That review found that in 11 different instances from June and July 2016, Ritchie knowingly issued motor vehicle tickets for offences that did not occur and investigators found that his conduct did in fact constitute deceit set out in the police act.
“I was of the opinion that the conduct alleged against Const. Ritchie, if substantiated, would constitute misconduct,” wrote Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe.
The review was concluded on April 28, 2017 and a final investigation report was submitted to the Discipline Authority.
On May 11, 2017, following his review of the report, Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord, as the Discipline Authority, substantiated the 11 allegations.
Dubord set out a proposed ranged of discipline from requiring Ritchie to work under close supervision up to and including dismissal.
The recommendations included: a reduction of rank for 12 months from First Class Constable to Second Class Constable; suspension of pay of two days (10 hours) for each of the 11 offences, totaling 22 days of suspension without pay; and Ritchie was to work under close supervision for a period of one year and to participate, to the satisfaction of his supervisors, in a return to work plan.
“The discipline that I recommended was based on going across the country and looking at the prescident that was set across the country for a number of these similar types of offences,” said Dubord. “We thought it was a significant amount of discipline both in the pocket book and the role within the police department. We believe it is appropriate for the offences committed.”
In June 2018, Ritchie, through his lawyer, requested a public hearing and review into the matter as he denied that the allegations were deceitful.
“The officer felt that it was too severe and he has asked for a review on the record,” added Dubord. “The officer is hoping for less discipline.”
Dubord said Ritchie was suspended when the matter was brought to the attention of the department and he remains suspended until the matter concludes.
Retired judge James Threfall has been appointed to oversee the final review, which Dubord expects will be done within the next 30 to 40 days.
Once that review is complete, Threfall’s decision will be the final outcome.
