Sean Kelly's conduct 'falls far short' of RNC expectations: Bill Janes
RNC's Professional Standards Division still reviewing Kelly's conduct
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Chief Bill Janes says a suspended officer still has his job after being found guilty of making indecent calls and lying to police — at least for now.
On Thursday, Const. Sean Kelly was convicted on charges for making indecent calls to a woman in 2012, as well as making false statements to mislead police. He is currently suspended without pay.
In a Corner Brook court Friday morning, the Crown asked Judge Wayne Gorman to have Kelly remanded into custody — a request Gorman denied.
He added decisions about Kelly's future with the force aren't something the chief would make.
"The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is an organization that has built its foundation on integrity and respect for others. This conduct falls far short of our expectations of our officers and our expectations of how we treat each other," said Janes.
In the court decision, Judge Gorman said the RNC's investigation into the complaints against Kelly should have been handled differently — possibly not investigated by the RNC at all.
Janes said the RNC's Professional Standards Division has already reviewed the conduct of the officers involved in the investigation into complaints against Kelly.
Judge Gorman had said in his decision he believed there was a "significant conflict of interest" when an officer responsible for investigating a fellow member also holds a union role.
Janes added the RNC has since changed how it would handle an internal investigation of one of its own officers.
"We have made some changes since this — the change being is that we're going to ensure members of the RNC executive are not put in a compromising position because they have two roles, representing their members and being a police officer," he said.
"And secondly, we ask an officer — a senior officer — to investigate another [officer so] that there's a separation between the two."
Meanwhile, Kelly is scheduled to appear in court on April 2, when its expected a sentencing date will be set.