B.C. cop who showed sexual selfie to domestic violence victim reinstated
A B.C. Mountie who was fired after showing a domestic violence victim what he described as a barely clothed "d*** pic" was rehired last year after arguing the RCMP's conduct board treated him unfairly.
Const. Andrew Hedderson was dismissed in December 2018 after the board found his behaviour constituted sexual misconduct, and that keeping him employed with the RCMP would "clearly imperil the public's confidence and trust" in the national police force.
But Hedderson appealed the decision, arguing in part that he should have been allowed an in-person hearing where the woman who reported him could be cross-examined. Adjudicator Steven Dunn agreed, ordering that the constable be reinstated and given back pay.
"I find the board breached the principles of procedural fairness," Dunn wrote in his September 2021 appeal decision, which was recently published online.
"As a result, the board's decision must be quashed."
Dunn also ordered a new hearing so the allegations against Hedderson could be properly tested – but the constable resigned last month before that hearing could take place.
The allegations stem from Hedderson's time with the Surrey RCMP detachment in spring 2017, when a woman, identified only as Ms. W in board documents, reported being assaulted by her boyfriend in a Safeway parking lot.
The board heard Hedderson visited Ms. W's home, and, while they were seated on her bed, asked whether she had any pictures of her injuries.
Ms. W told investigators she accidentally presented a picture that showed her breasts, and the officer responded by pulling up two separate images of his exposed penis, including one in which he was wearing his RCMP uniform.
"Ms. W said she was embarrassed, and the (officer) said not to worry about it, but that he now felt he had to show her something in return," the board's 2018 decision reads.
"Ms. W reported that the (officer) was 'flirting' with her … and she was 'shocked' by his presentation of the photographs."
Hedderson denied showing the woman nude images, but told investigators he presented her one picture of himself in "very tight boxers" that showed "a whole lot of everything."
"If it wasn't for the fabric, it's essentially a d*** pic," he said, according to the documents.
He also admitted to texting Ms. W sexual messages following that incident. The conduct board heard there were 323 texts exchanged between Hedderson and Ms. W over a period of 11 days, and that the constable "initiated inappropriate sexual comments” that included asking her whether she liked the image he showed her, commenting on his own “pretty large package,” and telling her he could come back to her home for a “very thorough and deep check.”
The 2018 conduct board decision described Ms. W as a vulnerable person, noting that she was recovering from drug addiction at the time of her interactions with Hedderson, lived in poverty, and had a fear of police. Hedderson denied that characterization in his appeal.
The constable was reinstated in fall 2021, then placed on paid suspension pending the outcome of his new hearing, according to the RCMP. A spokesperson for the force's national headquarters suggested the officer would have received his back pay during that time.
Asked whether the RCMP has any further recourse now that Hedderson is no longer an employee, Camille Boily-Lavoie told CTV News the force can't hold conduct hearings for former officers.
"Once a member is discharged from the RCMP, they are no longer a member. As a result, the RCMP no longer has authority/jurisdiction to discipline the member," Boily-Lavoie said in an email.
CTV News has been unable to reach Hedderson or the Justice Department lawyer who represented him to comment on his case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.