A July 21 conduct hearing for a former Airdrie RCMP member found discreditable conduct occurred on his part, following an investigation into text messages he exchanged with a 16-year-old girl who was a Rockyview Lacrosse Association (RVLA) volunteer who coached alongside him.
The officer, Cst. Daniel Martin, was also a volunteer parent coach with Airdrie’s Breakaway Hockey up and until the decision was made July 21, at which time his bio was removed from the organization’s website, according to a piece from CBC Calgary.
Martin, 42, previously served with the Airdrie RCMP and was working on Calgary’s K Division Unit when he was suspended with pay in May 2020.
According to John Kilbride, the interim president of Alberta Lacrosse, the sequence of events occurred over a 24-hour period during a Canada Day lacrosse tournament in 2019.
Kilbride said the teen had caught a ride home from the tournament with the mother of a friend, at which time she confided in the adult that some of the texts she was receiving from Martin were unusual. Kilbride said she was looking for confirmation that the behaviour was inappropriate.
The parent recognized the gravity of the situation and subsequently relayed that to the girl’s mother, who then reported to the president of RVLA at the time. Due to the size of the event, Kilbride said that all necessary individuals were present – meaning the president of the association and the disciplinary representative were there.
At this time, he said the texts were reviewed by the adult parties and deemed to reach outside the scope of their organization's disciplinary realm. The association, as well as the girl’s family, thus reported Martin’s behaviour to the RCMP.
“It seemed obvious that Dan Martin knew where the line was, in terms of not progressing to something that was criminal but was in fact, grooming this individual so perhaps down the road there was going to be that next step,” Kilbride said.
Within 24 hours of the news of his inappropriate behaviour, Martin was suspended by the association.
“As soon as it was brought to our attention – that something wrong was going on – we immediately notified him that he was suspended indefinitely until an inquiry could be held,” said RVLA President Keith Berg.
Fraser Logan, the RCMP K Division media relations officer, explained that Sec. 7.1 of the RCMP Act outlines the behavioural expectations of officers around the clock.
“On duty or off, as a member of the RCMP, you are held to a higher standard,” he said.
According to Logan, it was by this section of the act upon which Martin has been asked to resign.
Logan highlights that it is important not to say that Martin “was found guilty” of discreditable conduct, because it is not a criminal offence. No criminal charges have been laid thus far.
He went on to say “established” is preferred terminology, as it helps to explain the hearing proved the allegation that came to light prior to Martin’s 2020 paid suspension.
Logan said the written decision may take some time, but when it is complete, it will be delivered to Martin. At that point, he has the choice to comply with the decision – which requires him to resign – or he will be dismissed.
Martin has until Aug. 4 to appeal the decision.
Various news reports have either not indicated or revised the fact that Martin was previously a member of the Airdrie RCMP detachment. RCMP representative Logan confirmed that Martin did work in Airdrie for a period of time.
Information has also been published stating the victim was a player on the under-16 lacrosse team that Martin was managing. According to RVLA president Berg, that is incorrect – the teen was part of the program as a volunteer coach.
“So much credit goes to this individual, the victim, who had the wherewithal to recognize that – not only was somebody sending her inappropriate text messages – [it was] someone in a position of authority. That should be in a position of trust; but this was also an RCMP officer. Not just her coaching partner and an adult,” Kilbride said.
