CBC story on new harassment allegations prompts RCMP memo about media
RCMP deputy commissioner says CBC story about new harassment investigation contains 'false allegations'
Following the publication Friday of a CBC News story about new allegations of workplace harassment inside the unit of the RCMP that oversees the federal witness protection program, Commissioner Bob Paulson tweeted a link to a memo, written by Dep. Commissioner Mike Cabana, claiming inaccuracies in the CBC story.
Message to employees re today's media: <a href="https://t.co/GY3rmcoIqs">https://t.co/GY3rmcoIqs</a>
—@CommrPaulsonThe memo includes new information that was not made available when first requested by CBC News before the story was published. The story has been updated with those new details.
Reporter Alison Crawford responded to some of the memo's claims of "false allegations" on Twitter. Those tweets are compiled below:
1/8 RCMP issued a release claiming my story about workplace harassment at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> contains inaccuracies. I stand by every word. aHere's why.
—@alisoncrawford52/8 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> claims it is inaccurate for CBC to claim force refused to answer Qs about how the program is currently serving clients.
—@alisoncrawford53/8 I submitted 12 questions on May 16, they didn't answer one of them. They sent a vague statement containing no info.
—@alisoncrawford53/8 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> claims I inv'd A/Comm Shean in early May. I interviewed Shean on April 7. I only got the wellness report last week.
—@alisoncrawford54/8 The April interview was a conversation about recent regulatory changes to witness protection, not harassment.
—@alisoncrawford55/8 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> claims Shean was prepared to do a second interview...I asked for an interview on May 16th and was refused.
—@alisoncrawford56/8 On May 16, I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> if Shean initiated harassment investigation. Only today it confirmed investigation launched March 16.
—@alisoncrawford57/8 On May 16 I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> if an investigation initiated, who would conduct. Now it said reps independent from witness programare doing it
—@alisoncrawford58/8 On May 16 I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> when Shean first learned of harassment allegations. No response. I said summer. Today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> said it was in Oct
—@alisoncrawford5At the end of the day, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> is yet again investigating workplace harassment inside RCMP. That is what I reported.
—@alisoncrawford5