Pompeo's status still needs clarification
Const. David Pompeo’s working status with the Nanaimo RCMP detachment remains unclear following his conviction Thursday for aggravated assault in the shooting of Bill Gillespie.
The incident occurred in September 2009 and Pompeo has been working for two years in operationally-restricted duties in an administrative capacity, said Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Norm McPhail.
McPhail, the Nanaimo detachment commanding officer, said he would have to review Pompeo’s conviction to see how it affects his duty status as the case goes forward for sentencing.
“As a result of that, I have a request out for the transcripts of that case,’’ he said.
McPhail couldn’t be reached for clarification Tuesday and a call to the B.C. RCMP Communication Services Media Line was not returned by the News Leader Pictorial’s deadline.
Cpl. Jon Stuart of the North Cowichan/RCMP detachment where Pompeo formerly worked did not know either how the ruling would affect the officer’s present status.
McPhail also wanted to find out how the judge’s decision would affect policing in general.
“It’s something that impacts policing, definitely,’’ he said. “It’s a finding that involves one of our police officers so what can I learn from that? What information is in there that the RCMP can be educated by?
“Police officers are in many ways no different from the public. They come from the public. Police officers are given special powers and as a result of those special powers, they’re accountable for those powers.’’
Also still unanswered are the questions of who paid for Pompeo’s defence, and, if it was the taxpayer, how much was spent.
Pompeo is not in custody, Crown counsel Brad Tomlin said Friday.
— with a file from Chris Bush (Nanaimo News Bulletin)
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