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Decision to transfer disgraced Mountie ‘wrong’: B.C. premier

KELOWNA, B.C. — B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she’s not happy with an RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast.

KELOWNA, B.C. — B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she’s not happy with an RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast.

She said Friday she thinks RCMP Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens made the wrong decision in accepting the transfer of Sgt. Don Ray, who was reprimanded for having sex with subordinates, exposing himself to a co-worker and drinking on the job.

“I hope that they will find a way to do something about it because I just don’t think it contributes to public confidence,” said Clark. “I think a lot of women are watching this and saying ’this isn’t right.”’

Callens said Thursday the decision to accept the transfer wasn’t an easy one, but somebody had to show some leadership on the issue.

“While others may have looked at the circumstances and simply decided that it was not their problem and to let someone else deal with it, that is not my way or how I lead, and it is not what I expect of my leaders,” Callens told a news conference. “I expect that when faced with a challenge, they will step up and not step back.”

Callens said Ray won’t work provincially or be assigned in a municipal force, but will work in a federal area of responsibility under supervision.

He said if Ray reoffends in the way in which he did in Alberta, he would also seek the sergeant’s dismissal from the force.