A Victoria police officer accused of leaking information to the media about the former chief has retired, avoiding a disciplinary hearing.
The Victoria Police Department received a complaint in September 2008 regarding then-sergeant Jim Simpson, whose alleged disclosure of documents to the media sparked an investigation into then-chief Paul Battershill. The leaked letter in question triggered a meeting where senior officers aired concerns about Battershill, including his affair with a labour lawyer contracted to provide advice to the police board.
Battershill subsequently resigned from the force when the Victoria police board said it no longer had confidence in his leadership.
Simpson, an officer for more than 25 years who was in charge of the police department's operational planning unit for major events such as sa国际传媒 Day, was suspended with pay in November 2008 while he was investigated for improper disclosure of classified information under the Police Act. He returned to work in April 2009, under newly appointed chief Jamie Graham, although the investigation continued.
An external investigation into Simpson's activities was carried out by the Abbotsford and Delta police departments.
A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 1, but with Simpson's retirement, that hearing is cancelled.
The sa国际传媒 government recently approved changes to the Police Act that will allow disciplinary proceedings to continue against police officers even if they resign. However, since this complaint was lodged in 2008, the investigation falls under the Police Act as it was in effect at that time.
