Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Man walked naked out of shower, found Mountie in his bedroom: lawsuit

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Sep, 2023 05:07 PM
  • Man walked naked out of shower, found Mountie in his bedroom: lawsuit

A British Columbia man who is suing the RCMP claims he walked naked out of his shower to find a female uniformed Mountie standing in his bedroom.

Kirk Forbes says the encounter in his Coquitlam home in June 2022 left him "shocked, confused and embarrassed."

Mounties say in a news release issued Tuesday that the officers entered the home when they found that it appeared "insecure."

In a notice of civil claim filed in July, Forbes says it was only after he asked the woman why she was in his home that she identified herself as an RCMP officer, then asked him his name and said she was there to serve him a traffic ticket.

Forbes was told the violation happened in Pemberton, but he says in the claim he was unaware of any traffic violation.

He says after he got dressed, he went to his living room where he found a male officer searching his home. 

He was told the officers had knocked on his door and "it had flung open" so they went in, the claim says. The female officer then "joked mockingly that perhaps they should investigate whether a break-in had occurred."

Forbes says he was unsatisfied with that explanation and with the officer's levity, which made him feel unsafe. He became "increasingly upset, angry and shocked," the claim says.

It says the Mounties served him his violation ticket and left the home.

In the lawsuit, Forbes alleges the RCMP officers "abused their authority and power," by walking into his home without his permission or a warrant to serve the ticket.

The Coquitlam Mounties say in the news release they are aware of the claim and that officers entered "what appeared to be an insecure premise" to serve a traffic violation ticket.

RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Alexa Hodgins said in an interview that because there is litigation pending, there are limitations on what she can disclose. But she said there are circumstances in which an officer can enter someone's property.

"There's case law that if there's an insecure premise that police have a duty to make sure that nobody's injured inside and the only way you can do that is to enter," she said.

She said examples include "a window being smashed, or a door opening or maybe the doors already open — those types of things."

The RCMP news release says the resident raised concerns about the officers' presence in his home, but police believed they had "dealt with those concerns informally" before the man initiated a formal public complaint.

Forbes said in the statement of claim that he initially contacted the Coquitlam detachment and made an informal complaint about the situation. He said he was told they would investigate and report back to him.

After several weeks without an update, he said he went to the detachment, where a receptionist allegedly referred to him as "the shower guy."

"It was apparent to the plaintiff that the incident had been discussed amongst other members and employees of the Coquitlam RCMP detachment which caused the plaintiff further anxiety, embarrassment, and upset," the lawsuit said.

This, the lawsuit said, is what led him to make a formal complaint to the Civilian Complaints Commission for the RCMP on May 12, 2023.

The RCMP statement says the incident is now under investigation, which will include a review of documentation, radio transmissions, and the informal process.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region
A child has been killed in British Columbia while visiting a provincial park in the Okanagan, south of Peachland. The age of the victim was not released and BC Parks hasn't said what might have caused the tree to come down.  

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region

RCMP say six people killed in small plane crash west of Calgary

RCMP say six people killed in small plane crash west of Calgary
The identity of the victims have not been released, and the cause of the crash isn't yet known. RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Singleton told reporters at a news conference in Canmore, Alta., that all of the people on board the plane were on their way to a church function.

RCMP say six people killed in small plane crash west of Calgary

Winds play key role as wildfire continues to threaten Osoyoos, B.C.

Winds play key role as wildfire continues to threaten Osoyoos, B.C.
Winds will likely be a major factor in the battle to save the southern British Columbia town of Osoyoos from a raging wildfire, but the latest forecast offers some hope. Environment Canada is calling for northwest winds through the day before gusts of 20 kilometres per hour ease late in the day.

Winds play key role as wildfire continues to threaten Osoyoos, B.C.

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached
A late-night breakthrough could herald an end to British Columbia's long-running port dispute, with the longshore workers' union and the employers' association announcing a new tentative agreement. Details of the deal haven't been released, but both sides say in a joint statement issued Sunday night that they are recommending their members to ratify it.

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached

Surrey RCMP looking for witnesses to alleged hit-and-run that sends one to hospital

Surrey RCMP looking for witnesses to alleged hit-and-run that sends one to hospital
RCMP were called to 128 Street north of 80 Avenue in the Newton area of Surrey shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday for reports of a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian. Police say a vehicle struck a man in the roadway, and took off.

Surrey RCMP looking for witnesses to alleged hit-and-run that sends one to hospital

Body found in Oak Bay identified

Body found in Oak Bay identified
Police in Saanich say they have identified a man found dead under suspicious circumstances in Oak Bay as Steven Middleton. They say the 33-year-old's body was found on Wednesday in the 200-block of Beach Drive and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation.

Body found in Oak Bay identified