Tim Shields lawsuit the second to allege sexual assault by RCMP officer
Claimant Anitra Singh alleges multiple instances of sexual harassment in civil suit
An RCMP officer, formerly the top media spokesperson in B.C., Tim Shields, is facing a second civil suit alleging sexual harassment and assault of a civilian member of the force.
Anitra Singh has filed a Notice of Civil Claim in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against former force spokesperson Shields, and the Attorney General of Canada, alleging several instances of harassment and assault, both physical and verbal, between 2009 through 2011.
Singh alleges that on separate occasions during the specified time period Shields touched her in a sexual manner and tried to undress her, confined her in a washroom and forced her to touch him in an inappropriate manner, and exposed himself to her.
He also, Singh alleges, sent her text messages seeking a sexual relationship, as well as verbally sexually harassing her numerous times.
The claim seeks compensation for the resulting injury, loss and damage, that included depression, PTSD, anxiety and loss of income.
Abuse of authority alleged
This is the second claim made against Shields by a former colleague.
In August last year, Atoya Montague filed a claim alleging Shields abused his position of authority over her to commit acts of sexual assault.
She alleged that in 2003 while driving to the B.C. Interior with Shields he made unwanted sexual advances toward her.
"While driving and in control of the vehicle, the defendant Shields, showed the plaintiff his erection through his jean shorts and made sexual advances towards the plaintiff, asking the plaintiff to have sex with him and advising her that he could easily pull over the car so that he could perform oral sex on her," the lawsuit alleged.
Montague also claims Shields exposed himself to her in 2008 during a similar incident in a police car.
"On this occasion he showed the plaintiff his penis," the lawsuit alleged.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions filed against the RCMP by former female employees and officers, following allegations of widespread sexual harassment inside the force.