Calgary police detective alleges superior officer defamed her, files $150K lawsuit
A Calgary police detective is suing one of her superior officers for allegedly orchestrating a campaign to discredit her, and is pursuing a judicial review of the decision by Calgary's chief of police to dismiss her complaint against that superior.
According to a statement of claim filed last week, Det. Leigh Elizabeth Happner was teaching a course to police officers about search warrants for the education unit within the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
Her lawsuit alleges that, starting in December 2015, Insp. Cal Wiltshire began spreading baseless and false information about Happner that was intended to defame her by implying she was unethical and unqualified to teach the course.
The campaign against Happner was in retaliation for her role in a disciplinary hearing against another officer with the Calgary Police Service, the suit alleges.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Statement of defence not yet filed
Wiltshire has yet to file a statement of defence.
It's alleged Wiltshire tried on several occasions to persuade Happner's supervisors to remove her as an instructor, even though, "at all material times, Wiltshire had the authority and ability to remove the plaintiff as an instructor … by directing that action be taken, but he chose not to do so," the statement of claim says.
"Wiltshire's communications … were intended to impugn the plaintiff's character and professional reputation and to cause senior members of CPS and ALERT to view the plaintiff in a negative light."
Happner's statement of claim alleges that one of her supervisors, Leticia Aplin, the manager in charge of hiring instructors, reported to her boss at ALERT that she felt "bullied, threatened and intimidated" by Wiltshire's efforts to have the plaintiff dismissed.
Happner is seeking a judgement of $100,000 against Wiltshire plus $50,000 in punitive damages for the alleged harm to her personal and professional reputation.
Chaffin responds to complaints
Happner's lawyer, Fred Kozak, said his client did not want to sue Wiltshire.
"She took this step to try to get Insp. Wiltshire to retract and apologize for his statements," he said. "She certainly didn't want to have to start a lawsuit. It definitely isn't about money."
Happner has also applied to have a judicial review of Calgary police Chief Roger Chaffin's decision to dismiss without a hearing a complaint she filed against Wiltshire.
In a statement to the media, Chaffin said the service is committed to a fair and respectful workplace and that it recognizes "the courage demonstrated by an employee when they come forward with their concerns."
"I am fully aware of concerns expressed about differential treatment for senior officers," reads the statement. "This is unequivocally false but I acknowledge there is work to do so that perceptions are in line with the reality that the same respect and fairness is afforded to all employees of the Service."
The lawsuit and the judicial review comes as Calgary police are confronting allegations of widespread bullying on the force, particularly of its female members.
Earlier this year, more than a dozen members filed bullying and harassment complaints.
In March, the force announced measures to tackle the issue, such as conducting an employee census and working to overcome gender discrimination with the creation of an independent advocate and a new whistle-blower program.
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | More Calgarians can't afford food despite summer programs for kids, experts say
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Calgary Olympic bid feasible but not necessarily prudent, committee advises city council
