Former high-ranking Mountie facing discipline over letter to Arlene Westervelt's sister
Former high-ranking Mountie facing discipline over letter to Arlene Westervelt's sister
A former B.C. Mountie is facing discipline for communicating with the sister of a woman found dead in Okanagan Lake.
In a news release Thursday, the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner said it has ordered a review by a retired judge into a disciplinary decision against Sgt. Brian Gately, who allegedly disobeyed orders during the investigation into the death of Arlene Westervelt.
In June 2016, Westervelt’s body was found in Lake Okanagan. The day before, the 56-year-old had been out in a canoe with her husband Bert, and the boat capsized. Initially, it was treated as an accident.
In 2019, Arlene’s husband was charged with second-degree murder. But 15 months later, the charge was stayed. The Crown said it had received new evidence that reduced the likelihood of a conviction.
Bert Westervelt has always maintained his innocence.
In an episode of CTV News’ W5 in January 2021, family members of Arlene Westervelt claimed that Gateley was a friend of her husband’s, and accused him of helping Bert Westervelt access her locked phone following her death.
Following the airing of the episode, Gateley, now a member of B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, penned a letter to the deceased’s sister, Debbie Hennig.
Within the letter, which was shared with CTV News by Hennig, Gateley wrote: “The conclusions … the program came to were regrettable and inaccurate and I want to assure you that my actions did not in any way compromise the police investigation into Arlene’s death.”
However, the OPCC notice states that in December 2020, Gateley was told by his supervisors not to have any contact with any witnesses from the investigation.
In June 2021, the OPCC tasked the Vancouver Police Department to investigate the matter.
The OPCC release said Gateley was found to have committed discreditable conduct under the Police Act.
A one-day suspension was recommended, but the commissioner's office says that did not reflect the seriousness of the misconduct.
“In this letter he makes a real lame attempt to put my mind at ease,” Hennig told CTV News. “This letter was all self serving to protect himself.”
Last May, Hennig and her mother filed a lawsuit against Gateley and one other police officer.
They allege there was a move to “shut down” a consideration of homicide in the case.
Gateley denied the allegations in a subsequent statement of defence.
CTV News has reached out to Gateley for comment, but has not received a response.
The OPCC said James Threlfall, a retired provincial court judge, has been assigned to do the review, but that a date has not yet been scheduled.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Maria Weisgarber and Kendra Mangione
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is testifying before the House of Commons transport committee this afternoon about ongoing airport delays and flight cancellations.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Consumer behaviour, a looming recession and the reactions of retailers to pandemic-driven supply chain issues are combining to drive a liquidation renaissance, according to one business advisor and retail futurist who spoke with CTVNews.ca.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Ontario judge Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada on Friday. She is the first Indigenous person to be tapped to sit on Canada's top court and the appointment is being celebrated as filling an important role at the highest level of the country's justice system.
A 81-year-old Danish woman traveling from Africa to Canada was arrested at Warsaw airport on suspicion of illegal possession of heroin worth over US$515,000, officials in Poland said Friday.
A prominent Quebec cardinal is denying sexual assault allegations against him contained in a class-action lawsuit that was formally filed this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Two pilots are believed to have fallen asleep and missed their landing during a flight from Sudan to Ethiopia on Monday, according to a report by commercial aviation news site Aviation Herald.
As students across Canada gear up to enter what will be their fourth academic year in the pandemic, CTVNews.ca takes a look at what measures will be in place in schools, by province and territory.
Nunavut's acting minister of community and government services says the territory has declared a state of emergency in Iqaluit to ensure the city can begin replenishing its water reservoir without delay.
In an already cycling-centric city, Saturday's Tour de Victoria is an event most two-wheeled enthusiasts mark on their calendar. The 11th Annual Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria will bring over 2,200 bikers of all skill levels to city streets and rural roads as the event returns to its normal August date for the first time in two years.
Homicide investigators in Port Alberni, B.C., say they believe there are people in the community who have information about the killing of a 35-year-old man and have yet to come forward to police.
The Malahat highway has reopened after it was closed in both directions for several hours Friday morning after a truck carrying live chickens crashed near the Split Rock lookout. Travellers were detoured off the Trans-Canada Highway at Shawnigan Lake Road and Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, while oversized vehicles were being sent through West Shawnigan Lake Road.
The Calgary Police Service has reopened a section of the Bow River pathway as well as a lane of eastbound Memorial Drive in the northeast following a Thursday night stabbing.
A southwest Calgary grocery store is expected to remain closed on Friday as crews continue assessing the damage caused by a large truck that crashed into it the day before.
It began as a way to help children evacuated from Ukraine to prepare for school in Alberta this fall, but as it wraps up, it’s clear it grew into something much more.
'All of these organizations have a proven track record supporting people in the community to improve their mental health and their pursuit of recovery.'
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
A prominent Quebec cardinal is denying sexual assault allegations against him contained in a class-action lawsuit that was formally filed this week in Quebec Superior Court.
The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS) confirmed that the Inuk woman struck on Highway 520 in Montreal has died of her injuries.
Two Winnipeggers are facing drug related charges after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 30 kilograms of what is suspected to be cocaine at the port of entry in Windsor, Ont. earlier in the month.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) and the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) were called out to a two-vehicle collision involving a hazardous, nuclear material Friday morning in Confederation.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Nova Scotia's proposed climate plan to avoid the federal carbon tax is "shocking" in its lack of substance, a Halifax environmental advocacy group said Friday.v
A coroner’s inquest jury made almost 20 recommendations for ways New Brunswick and its law enforcement can do better in police interventions, training and equipment. CTV News polled each to see if they are considering, or have already implemented any of them.
Sunshine and hotter temperatures return this weekend, with the low pressure system that brought us mid-week rain moving north of the Maritime region and high pressure building in from our south.
Nature trails, park land, how about an event venue? They’re all among the ideas being considered for the future of the Byron gravel pits in west London.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
The Region of Waterloo council approved a series of measures on Thursday to help ease the growing homelessness crisis, including a first-ever decision to permit an encampment.
