A hearing took place to determine the fate of a Coquitlam, B.C., RCMP constable who engaged in disrespectful conversations in online group chats with fellow officers. The constable, Mersad Mesbah, faced potential dismissal for his behavior, which was found to lack respect and courtesy by RCMP adjudicator Louise Morel in November.
During the adjudication board hearing, arguments were made regarding Mesbah’s conduct. The RCMP’s conduct authority, represented by John MacLaughlan, pushed for Mesbah’s immediate dismissal or a directive for him to resign within 14 days. However, Mesbah’s lawyer, Allison Tremblay, argued that rehabilitation measures could salvage his relationship with the RCMP without resorting to dismissal.
MacLaughlan contended that Mesbah’s actions were fundamentally incompatible with the role of a police officer, emphasizing that maintaining public confidence in the RCMP was crucial. He highlighted Mesbah’s prolonged suspension compared to his active service period and criticized Mesbah for failing to take responsibility for his derogatory remarks.
Mesbah expressed regret for his words and insisted he would not have acted on them. He detailed his background, including his move from Iran to Canada at a young age, his education, and his career as a police officer. Mesbah attributed his misconduct to a negative work environment and coping mechanism through group chats, which he described as a venting platform for his frustrations.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Mesbah’s lawyer proposed alternative consequences such as a pay deduction or additional training instead of dismissal. All three constables involved in the incident had been suspended with pay, as confirmed by a B.C. RCMP spokesperson in November. The final decision regarding Mesbah’s future with the RCMP is expected to be made by adjudicator Louise Morel on January 13.