Four Mounties charged in the murder of 2007 Surrey Six

Today, the Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that charges have been approved against four investigators working on the Surrey Six Investigation that involved the murder of six people in a Surrey condo in October 2007. The charges include breach of trust, obstruction and fraud, and stem from allegations about an inappropriate relationship with a potential witness for the Surrey Six investigation. The Surrey Six case is still before the courts.

“I am deeply disappointed in the alleged actions of the officers involved,” says Chief Superintendent Janice Armstrong, Operations Officer and Assistant District Commander for the Lower Mainland District Regional Police Service. “The investigators charged in this case were senior, experienced and trusted police officers. Their alleged behaviour is completely contrary to the RCMP’s core values, and falls well below the standard the public expects from us.”

In response to information received, the RCMP launched an internal investigation in December 2009 regarding one Surrey Six investigator alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with a potential witness. As the internal investigation progressed it was determined that there was likely evidence to support the allegations and the RCMP announced the investigation to the public in January 2010.

Due to the serious nature of the allegations, the RCMP requested the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) take over the internal investigation and any subsequent criminal investigation that might arise. This was announced in February 2010.

“The OPP was given a wide mandate and unfettered access to all material, equipment, information and personnel involved in this file. The RCMP cooperated fully with their investigation,” said C/Supt. Armstrong. “On behalf of the RCMP, I would like to thank the O.P.P. for all of their hard work on these investigations.”

The police officer first implicated in this investigation was suspended on April 19, 2010. In June 2010, the RCMP issued a further update, indicating that a second investigator had been suspended. By Fall 2010, two additional investigators had been suspended, for a total of four.

“I want to be clear. The alleged behaviors are absolutely unacceptable and show poor decision making. What is alleged to have occurred was a breach of policy, protocol and the law. And fundamentally, it was an abuse of the trust the public places in police,” said C/Supt. Armstrong.

Crown Counsel on the Surrey Six homicides has been informed of the alleged actions of our police officers, and has indicated there will be no change to the decision to prosecute those charged with the homicides.

“So many investigators, specialized support units like forensics and others have poured their hearts into and devoted years to the Surrey Six investigation,” says C/Supt. Armstrong. “I know they’re committed to supporting Crown Counsel as they move ahead with the prosecution of those believed to be responsible for the murders.”

“We have updated the families of the six victims involved in this case about the criminal charges,” she says. “There’s no question this is the last thing these families should have had to deal with, in the context of the murder of their loved ones.”

The police officers involved in these allegations were initially suspended with pay. “Given the seriousness of the allegations, processes are underway to request that these police officers be suspended without pay,” says C/Supt. Armstrong. She notes the RCMP Act has a provision for stoppage of pay in cases where allegations of misconduct are so serious they require a greater response than suspension alone.

S/Sgt. Dave Attew, Sgt. Derek Brassington, Cpl. Paul Johnston and Cpl. Danny Michaud will be answering to charges including breach of trust and attempting to obstruct justice. S/Sgt. Dave Attew, Sgt. Derek Brassington, will also be answering to charges of fraud. They are scheduled to make their first appearance in court on July 11, 2011.