An independent hearing started in Saskatoon on Monday that is going to determine who police officers should be able to call friends.
Former Sgt. Robbie Taylor was fired in March because of a relationship with a man who was an associate of the Hells Angels biker gang. He appealed the firing and an independent mediator is hearing the facts of the dismissal from both sides.
Ronni Nordal is the mediator in the case, which will hear from multiple witnesses including Chief Cameron McBride.
Taylor’s lawyer Brian Pfefferle said Taylor “was fired for having an association with an individual who allegedly has associations with other individuals who are members of outlaw motorcycle clubs.”
“So friends of friends are people that the police service does not want him associating with. And we say it’s far removed and it’s something that that there shouldn’t be an association concern there.”
Ashley Smith, the Saskatoon Police Service lawyer, said the issue is whether Taylor’s “undesirable association” made him suitable to be a police officer.
She said that Chief Cameron McBride concluded that Taylor was compromised by the relationship “and there was a loss of trust and confidence.”
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