RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell is someone “Canadians can be proud of” and deserves the Order of Canada for his honesty and integrity, says Carleton criminology professor Darryl Davies..Davies made his comments to Western Standard after Campbell testified to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security regarding alleged political interference in the investigation of the Nova Scotia Mass Shooting in 2020..Campbell said he stands by the oath he made when he became an officer in 1990..“I swore that I would faithfully, diligently, and impartially execute and perform my duties and to obey and perform all lawful orders without fear, favour, or affection of or towards any person. That was an oath I took very seriously on that day and one that I continue to take very seriously to this day,” Campbell said..Campbell told the committee he knew his notes on a conference call initiated by Lucki on April 28, 2020 were at the heart of allegations of political interference in the investigation..“To that point I had provided more than two hours and 15 minutes of live national news conferences of what police knew and what we could share with the media and with the public…".“The commissioner expressed in no uncertain terms her clear disappointment that I had not released specific information in my news conference related to the firearms used by the government. What was relayed to me and others during that call is what is at issue today… I disclosed all of my notes for dissemination to the mass casualty commission. I was not aware that my notes to the [MCC] had not been disclosed until recently. I stand by my notes.”.Campbell said he explained for more than two minutes why details on the firearms used could compromise the investigation, only to be told by Lucki the disclosure was important to support a pending bill by the Liberal government..“On several occasions during that call, the commissioner stated she felt disrespected, that she was sad and disappointed that I had not released the information about the firearms used [by Wortman], and that she had been advised that I would release that information.".“The commissioner also said that she had promised the minister and the Prime Minister’s Office information about the firearms would be included in the press briefing.”.Campbell said he felt the same way after the meeting that Lucki did before it was called..“I left that meeting feeling deflated, and to borrow the commissioner’s words, sad and disappointed,” Campbell said..“My position was firm that I would continue to protect the integrity of the investigation by not releasing any information that could have a negative impact on ongoing investigative efforts. We owe this to the victim’s families, to survivors, to the public, and to those tasked with completing an impartial, competent, and professional investigation.”.Davies says Campbell deserves a medal and Lucki deserves unemployment..“Supt Darren Campbell should receive the Order of Canada for being an honest police officer who would not and could not be pressured to abandon the oath of office he took as a young police officer when he joined the RCMP. Campbell is an exceptional individual and a person to whom Canadians can be justly proud of,” Davies said..“Campbell is a hero for courageous[ly] speaking the truth to the standing committee on public safety. He is one man in ten thousand who truly represents what the RCMP should and ought to represent as our national police service... Lucki's credibility has been seriously and irreparably damaged by Supt. Campbell's testimony and all Canadians should be calling for her resignation.”.Campbell served on the West Coast, in Central Canada and the Maritimes over his 32-year career with the RCMP. He is currently the interim criminal operations officer for the RCMP in New Brunswick. .“The commissioner made me feel as if I was stupid and I didn’t seem to understand the importance of why this information was important to go out — the information specific to the firearms as it was related to the legislation.".Campbell said information on the firearms used by Gabriel Wortman to kill 22 people remained private until the Prime Minister’s Office revealed it in November of 2020 in its response to an Access of Information request..“The release of the unedited information would eventually have a negative impact on individuals and could have harmed the ongoing … investigation,” Campbell said..“At the heart of the matter was … principle and sound investigative best practices to protect the ongoing investigation which at the time was at its early stages.”.Davies says Campbell has demonstrated a problem with the personnel and the reporting structure of the RCMP..“By speaking the truth Campbell has revealed the subterranean cracks and underbelly of everything that is wrong with the political system in our country. When the RCMP can be compromised for political expediency it completely undermines and abrogates our faith, trust and confidence in the justice system,” Davies said..“Brenda Lucki ... should be fired. Commissioners of the RCMP should report to Parliament and not to a Public Safety minister. Lucki's duty is to the rule of law and the Canadian public and not to a Prime Minister's office or a Public Safety minister.”
