PRINCE ALBERT — A former RCMP officer previously found to have secretly recorded prisoners in cells has now been sentenced for creating sexual images of a child, prompting a judge to condemn his behaviour as “vile, appalling,” and “absolutely shameful."
Wade Chitrena, 60, received an 18-month provincial jail sentence followed by three years of probation after pleading guilty to making child pornography and voyeurism. A publication ban protects the identity of the child.
Judge condemns ‘reprehensible’ conduct
Judge Thomas Healey accepted the joint sentencing submission and said he was finding it difficult to find words strong enough to convey the depravity of the crimes.
“It’s hard to put words to address the gravity of what you’ve done,” Judge Healey told Chitrena describing his conduct as “reprehensible,” “disgusting,” and “without excuse.”
Crown prosecutor Alex Boucher told the court, during the sentencing hearing in Prince Albert Provincial Court on April 10, that the offences occurred in 2023 when the former officer recorded the girl on two separate occasions. Forensic analysis of his cellphone later uncovered seven additional explicit images of the girl.
Prior misconduct as RCMP officer
Court heard that Chitrena has a prior conditional discharge from 2021 for accessing a sensitive image of an adult female prisoner while he was an on-duty RCMP officer. That incident led to his departure from the force. Although it didn’t result in a criminal record, the Crown referenced his earlier conduct to show a pattern of surreptitious recording.
Judge Healey warned him that re-offending once he’s released would mean federal prison time.
“You didn’t get the message when you were let go, or when you resigned from the RCMP, and now this is taking it to a whole new level,” he said. “If you were to ever make this kind of mistake again, I hope you understand, and without prejudging, you are almost certainly looking at a penitentiary term if you do something like this ever again, even remotely like this.”
Background and mitigating factors
Defence Evan Strelioff described Chitrena as a Métis man originally from Saskatoon whose family later moved to Edmonton. He said Chitrena had a challenging childhood that included his parents’ divorce due to domestic abuse, significant financial struggles after his mother returned to school, and periods where Chitrena was often left alone as a child with little money for recreation.
Chitrena completed high school in 1983, briefly attended university, and worked at various jobs before joining the RCMP in 2008. He was posted in La Ronge, Buffalo Narrows, and Shaunavon.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the charges, Strelioff argued that the material involved represented “the least kind of serious example” of child exploitation offences.
Offender’s apology
Chritena addressed the court briefly before sentencing.
“I know there’s nothing I can do or say to make up for what I did and the harm that I caused,” he said. “All I can do is pray that the memory of me and what I did fades away from those that I hurt. And I know it's not enough, but I’m very sorry and I accept whatever punishment you're ready to mete out.”
Remaining sentence and strict conditions
Chitrena received credit for 224 days of enhanced time served, leaving him with about 10 months remaining in custody. The 36-month probation order includes strict conditions. He must report to a probation officer, complete programming for sexual offending and counselling, and have no contact with certain individuals. He is also barred from possessing or using internet capable devices without prior written permission from his probation officer.
Additional orders include a DNA order, a 20-year Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) requirement, forfeiture of a cellphone, and a 10-year prohibition from being near places where children under 16 are likely to be present.
A separate information containing four breach-of-release charges was adjourned for sentencing on April 17. Chitrena pleaded guilty to those charges on April 10.
