Royal Newfoundland Constabulary enlists outside aid to find source of media leaks
Sources say Toronto Police Service called in to assist investigation
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has called in an outside police force to help probe leaks to the media about an investigation into the handling of a confidential informant, CBC News has learned.
In January, CBC News reported that senior members of the RNC are under criminal investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), a civilian-led agency from Nova Scotia that investigates serious incidents involving police forces.
SIRT investigators are looking at the conduct of as many as seven senior RNC members.
Asked in January what the matter is about, Ron MacDonald — a lawyer and civilian director of SIRT who is leading the investigation — would not elaborate.
However, CBC learned that it is focused on the RNC's use of a confidential informant.
Now sources say the Toronto Police Service has been called in to help find out who is leaking information to the media about the situation.
RNC, Toronto police won't comment
Asked for comment on the most recent matter, the RNC offered a statement which neither confirmed nor denied the investigation into leaks.
"The RNC does on occasion request the assistance of other police services in conducting investigations," the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Service said it was called in to "assist" in an investigation but did not elaborate on the nature of that case, and deferred further questions to the RNC.
2nd internal investigation
It's the second time in less than a year that the RNC has launched an investigation in an effort to pinpoint who leaked information to CBC News.
Chief Bill Janes ordered an investigation after a letter written by Const. Joe Symth, the RNC officer who shot and killed Don Dunphy in April 2015, was leaked.
That investigation was handled internally by the RNC's Professional Standards division.
Smyth sent the 900-word letter to all RNC staff a week after Dunphy was shot in his home in Mitchells Brook.
The outcome of that investigation is unknown.