2010-02-19 16:45 PST

19 February 2010

Vancouver, BC -- On February 17, 2010 Crown Counsel approved a single charge of theft under $5000 against RCMP member S/Sgt. Suzanne Denise Marie Martel. This charge stems from an allegation of shoplifting from a retail store in Burnaby while off duty.

S/Sgt. Martel, a RCMP member with 19 years of service who was serving as part of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU), has been relieved of her V2010 ISU duties. She has been sent back to her home unit in Ottawa where her duty status will be reviewed.

S/Sgt. Martel, was charged with theft under $5000 per section 334(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Her court date has been scheduled for April 2010. The V2010 ISU has ordered a Code of Conduct investigation.

To date, of the 6,000 V2010 ISU law enforcement personnel, seven police officers have been sent home. S/Sgt. Martel is one of the seven and the only one to be criminally charged.

The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit and all ISU member agencies have set a zero tolerance standard for any behaviour that could be considered in direct conflict with each organization’s core values and code of ethics or Canada’s laws.

The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit is comprised of 15,300 security personnel working in close cooperation with numerous agencies to help maintain a safe and secure 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

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Contact information:
Vancouver 2010 ISU
604-247-8600
1-877-646-2010
v2010isu_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca