Calgary RCMP officer ordered to resign for inappropriate texts with teen

An RCMP officer based in Calgary has been ordered to resign after being found guilty of misconduct for an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old he coached lacrosse with in 2019, CBC News has learned.

Const. Daniel Martin, 42, was found guilty under the RCMP Act on Wednesday of discreditable conduct for what was described by the Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA) president John Kilbride as a "grooming" relationship involving text messages between the officer and teenage coach.

"I'm just mortified," said Kilbride. 

"I just can't imagine much worse than the trust of one of our athletes being betrayed in this fashion by somebody that they're supposed to be able to be safe with and then you compound that by somebody who is in a position of such authority, legal authority in the form of an RCMP officer, and it's just disgraceful."

14 days to appeal 

It is not clear whether the relationship had become physical. A copy of the conduct hearing decision has not yet been released. 

The RCMP would not provide further details because Martin has 14 days to appeal. 

"When the Alberta RCMP were made aware of the situation, we immediately initiated an internal process that led to a conduct hearing where allegations of discreditable conduct were established against Const. Daniel Martin," said RCMP spokesperson Fraser Logan in a written statement. 

"As we are now within an appeal period, it would be inappropriate for the Alberta RCMP to comment further."

Teen's family, ALA reported relationship to RCMP

The texts were sent in 2019 and came to light at a major lacrosse tournament. 

Kilbride said the ALA immediately determined that Martin's behaviour was "well beyond" the scope of internal discipline so the lacrosse association "immediately" reported the relationship to RCMP, as did the girl's family.

"There's absolutely zero room for this within our organizational structure," said Kilbride. 

"It's just another alert that these people are out there and they worm their way into our most sacred areas and we have to be vigilant."

Martin's other coaching gig

Martin has been given 14 days to resign, according to Logan.

It wasn't immediately clear whether a criminal investigation had also taken place but no charges have been laid. 

Until Wednesday, Martin was also coaching for Breakaway Hockey in Airdrie. Within hours of the decision, the group removed his bio from its website. 

"Dan Martin was a parent volunteer and, in lieu of RCMP findings, will no longer be volunteering with Breakaway Hockey," said the organization in a written statement.