'Conscientious and professional': RNC chief says criticism of officer Joe Smyth unwarranted
No evidence of wrongdoing by officer who shot Donald Dunphy, says Bill Janes
The chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has delivered an unreserved endorsement of embattled Const. Joe Smyth, describing the officer who shot Donald Dunphy as conscientious and professional, and said the criticism against the officer is unwarranted.
"In an organization with many selfless officers, he's often one of the first to step up and help vulnerable people in our community," Bill Janes told reporters Monday following the release of a series of reports into Dunphy's shooting, including the RCMP investigation that determined Smyth used "appropriate force" to defend himself.
Smyth shot and killed Dunphy during at altercation at Dunphy's home in Mitchells Brook on April 5, 2015.
Smyth was a member of then premier Paul Davis's security detail at the time, and went to the home to investigate a series of tweets by Dunphy that an official in the premier's office felt were threatening to government officials.
The two were alone in the home, and Smyth told investigators he fired four shots after Dunphy produced a rifle.
The RCMP investigation found "there was no evidence at the scene that casts any shadow or doubt over the version of events offered by Const. Smyth," clearing him of any wrongdoing.
A serious incident response team from Alberta that reviewed the RCMP probe found it to be thorough and unbiased.
The shooting has raised questions about why Smyth went to Dunphy's home alone on Easter Sunday, driving the nearly 100 kilometres from RNC headquarters in St. John's to Mitchells Brook, St. Mary's Bay.
Based on all the information provided to me, I believe this criticism is unwarranted.- RNC Chief Bill Janes
Those and other questions are expected to be addressed during the upcoming commission of inquiry into the death, but Janes left little doubt that he fully supports Smyth.
"Based on all the information provided to me, I believe this criticism is unwarranted," Janes said of the scrutiny that Smyth has received.
Janes has known Smyth for 15 years, and "I have known him to be conscientious and professional in all of his work."
Smyth, Dunphy called 'angry men'
Meanwhile, Janes had little to say about another report, prepared by retired justice David Riche, repeating that "we have seen no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of our officer."
Riche was brought in by the RCMP as an independent observer, and has been highly critical of the investigation and Smyth, describing him and Dunphy as "angry men."
In his report, Riche referenced an incident about a decade ago while Smyth was vacationing in the Caribbean.
Riche wrote that Smyth "went somewhat berserk" after being robbed and caused damage to four vehicles, and was later sanctioned by the RNC for "conduct unbecoming of an officer."
When questioned about this, Janes said personnel files are "some of the most confidential documents we have," but he earlier told reporters "I don't support any … characterizations of Const. Smyth."
Janes would not comment on any of the evidence, saying he would respect the upcoming inquiry into Dunphy's death.
As for the decision by Smyth to travel alone to Dunphy's home, Janes said RNC policies are constantly evolving and "the inquiry may have recommendations for us."
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