The family of a former Vancouver police officer who killed herself after allegedly having intimate relationships with senior officers is suing the department..In January 2019, after nine years with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), officer Nicole Chan committed suicide..An investigation into her death by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPPC) determined Sgt. David Van Patten of the VPD had an inappropriate relationship with Chan while serving as a human resources officer for the department..Van Patten was dismissed a year after Chan’s death for discreditable conduct. Another officer involved was Sgt. Greg McCullough. He was given a 15-day suspension and later resigned..Chan’s sister and mother filed the suit which named both former officers. The civil suit details allegations of a sexual relationship with both McCullough and Van Patten..According to the civil suit obtained by the Western Standard, "Sgt. Van Patten attained Sgt. McCullough’s cellular phone and scrolled through media, wherein he discovered evidence of the intimate relationship between Nicole and Sgt. McCullough.".The suit also claims that Van Patten “took a video of himself scrolling through the phone for the purpose of threatening to disclose the affair.".According to the suit, Van Patten then “threatened to send the evidence to their spouses if she did not comply with his demands for sex.”.During the time of Chan's death, VPD Chief Adam Palmer described Chan’s suicide as “a tragic set of circumstances.” .The lawsuit says that Chan had a history of mental health issues. It details that Chan attempted suicide in 2012, years before her relationships with Van Patten and McCullough..None of the allegations have been proven in court. However, the lawsuit alleges her suicide was a result of "wrongful conduct and workplace culture at the department, which had ineffective guidelines and policies.".Therefore, the family is seeking general and aggravated damages..Chan's suicide came a little over two weeks after she provided testimony to the OPCC about her relationship with Van Patten.Statements of defence for the lawsuit have not been filed..If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help. Call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566.
