Police in both Toronto and Halifax are investigating allegations of sexual assault against two RCMP doctors who were responsible for the medical examinations of new recruits.
The Toronto Police Service has confirmed that it is looking into claims of sexual assault at the hands of a former RCMP doctor in the Toronto area. The assaults are alleged to have taken place between the mid-80s and 1990s.
In Halifax, regional police have launched an investigation after more than 20 people came forward with allegations of sexual assault by a now-retired RCMP doctor in Nova Scotia between 1981 and 2003.
The two cases are being treated as separate investigations.
“The building in which these assaults are alleged to have occurred is physically here in Toronto,” police spokesperson Meaghan Gray told CTV News Toronto. “That’s why we’ve been named to the police service jurisdiction and have taken over the investigation.”
Members of the RCMP were alerted to the investigation this week through an internal memo sent out by the assistant commissioner of the human resources department, Stephen White.
The memo, obtained by CTV News, says “New allegations of sexual assault during the recruitment medical examinations have arisen regarding the conduct of a different doctor in ‘O’ Division.
The ‘O’ Division oversees all operations in Ontario.
“Again, the assaults are alleged to have taken place some years ago – between the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Toronto Police Service, as the police of jurisdiction, have been notified,” the memo reads.
“If there are any employees across the organization who have been victims of similar experiences in other locations, we encourage you to report it to police, to your supervisor or anyone you trust.”
The RCMP’s ‘O’ Division confirmed that they’re aware of the allegations and the investigation that is now underway.
“‘O’ Division RCMP can confirm that we have been made aware of allegations of sexual assault concerning a doctor who used to practice in ‘O’ Division. We have notified the police of jurisdiction, Toronto Police Service, and are encouraging any other victims to come forward,” Louise Savard, a spokesperson for the RCMP’s division in Ontario, said in a written statement to CTV News Toronto.
“Support is available to employees who need it. We will not be providing any further information at this time.”
No charges have been laid in either Toronto or Halifax. Police also have not identified the doctors in question.
