RCMP brass named in civil suit from officers over medical information
A civil suit from a group of RCMP officers in B.C. claims the force handed over sensitive health information — including mental records — to the College of Psychologists without their permission.
The lawsuit, filed in B.C Supreme Court, names RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, the Minister of Justice, and Canada's Attorney General among others.
It dates back to 2012 when the force had a falling out and severed ties with Dr. Mike Webster, who worked as a psychologist for the Mounties.
The force accused Webster of not being objective and launched a complaint about him with the College of Psychologists of B.C.
The civil suit alleges the medical records of at least seven officers were submitted as part of that complaint, without the permission of the officers.
"We have had no response from Commissioner Paulson," said Sebastien Anderson, the lawyer for plaintiffs David Reichert and Derrick Ross. "As a result we're resorting to the courts."
Psychologist criticized RCMP
Anderson says Webster's relationship with the RCMP soured after he was critical of the force's workplace environment.
"The most current and comprehensive data on the members' health suggests that working for the RCMP can make you sick," Webster had said in an interview with CBC News in 2012.
Reichert claims his medical records were also shared with senior RCMP staff.
"Not only to the College of Psychiatrists and Psychologists, but also to the general membership," he said outside the Supreme Court of B.C. in Vancouver on Friday.
"There were members on the force that had no right to see our medical [files]."
According to the notice of civil claim, the records included psychological counselling reports with names, diagnoses, symptoms and treatment offered to officers.
"Those members that were involved in this privacy breach that are still working, are afraid to come forward for fear their jobs will be put at risk," said Rob Creasser with the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada.
The force says it will only respond to the case in a statement of defense, which has yet to be filed.
The civil claim has not yet been certified as a class action lawsuit, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
