RCMP members, recruits allege sexual abuse by doctor at force’s health office

HALIFAX — Police in Halifax are investigating complaints from RCMP members and recruits who say they were sexually assaulted by a doctor doing medical assessments at its health clinic over two decades.

Const. Carol McIsaac, spokeswoman for the Halifax police, says an investigation was opened into the allegations after they were brought to their attention late last week.

She says serving and former members have been asked to contact the Halifax police and that investigators have “received a number of calls so far.”

The RCMP said the incidents occurred between October 1981 and July 2003 at the RCMP health services office in the Halifax suburb of Bedford.

There was no estimate provided by police on how many cases allegedly occurred over the 22-year period.

RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Jennifer Clarke said in an email that stories about the allegations were shared with senior managers in late November 2017.

In a memo to RCMP staff, Assistant Commissioner Stephen White, the RCMP’s acting chief of human resources, said “some disturbing information has come to our attention that alleges a doctor who conducted RCMP recruitment medical examinations and periodic health assessments … assaulted RCMP applicants and members.”

It says the doctor has retired from medical practice.

White urges anyone with knowledge of the alleged sexual assaults to contact the Halifax police and to seek assistance from the RCMP’s medical staff and psychologists.