Chaplain accused of trying to get victim to drop domestic violence charges while he was with Windsor police

During his first two months as a volunteer chaplain with Windsor, Ont., police, Hassan Rkie was accused of trying to get a victim to drop domestic violence charges in an ongoing case and has since been charged with obstruction, CBC News has learned.

The 47-year-old was quietly charged in February. The Windsor Police Service didn't release the information publicly, though it often does when arrests are made.

According to documents filed in the Ontario Court of Justice, it's alleged Rkie "did intentionally attempt to dissuade a person ... by bribes from giving evidence in a judicial proceeding."

During a December board meeting, the police service introduced Rkie as one of its volunteer chaplains.

Two sources within the police service told CBC News that Rkie knew a man in the community being accused of domestic violence. They said he then proceeded to contact the complainant in what they claim was an attempt to get them to drop the charges.

None of these allegations have been proven in court.

CBC News has made several attempts to reach Rkie for comment and he has not responded.

Windsor police confirmed to CBC News that Rkie is no longer a chaplain with the service.

However, it wouldn't say when Rkie stopped volunteering, why that relationship was terminated and if the criminal allegations related to his duties as a chaplain.

"Hassan Rkie has never been employed by the Windsor Police Service. We can confirm that he no longer serves as a volunteer chaplain with our organization," Gary Francoeur, director of corporate communications, said in a short emailed response.

The University of Windsor told CBC News that Rkie continues to be a part of the school's Muslim chaplaincy, a role he's held since 2022.

Rkie is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.