REGINA — More than 160 advocates have signed an open letter directed at the Regina Police Service (RPS) and the Regina Board of Police Commissioners, calling for an independent review to seek charges against members who violate women’s privacy and security.
In recent years, the RPS has seen two cases of officers breaching its database to contact women. Const. Clinton Duquette, who has recently been charged under the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LAFOIP), was found to have improperly accessed the RPS’s databases multiple times between 2021 and 2023.
Meanwhile, former RPS Sgt. Robert Semenchuk was found guilty after making contact with 33 women through the databases over eight years andwas sentenced to serve two years in the community, followed by three years of parole. One of his victims, Kerry Benjoe, said there needs to be systemic change.
“We need them to now stand up and say, okay, we're going to do something about this, we're going to hold police officers accountable and start rebuilding that trust because right now, as someone who was victimized, I have a very hard time trusting the police,” she said as part of a 20-person rally outside RPS headquarters before the Regina Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
During the investigation into Semenchuk, Benjoe spoke about living in fear and still not feeling 100 per cent recovered from the mental toll the case took. She said she hopes others can avoid suffering what she has felt.
“This is not the end. We have to keep pushing for accountability because if we don't, there's going to be another Robert Semenchuk case.”
The open letter also called on the Regina Board of Police Commissioners to implement all nine recommendations from the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner against Duquette, including revoking access to RPS databases.
Former Regina city councillor and board of police commissioners member Andrew Stevens said the board needs to take public outcry and these recommendations seriously.
“This is not an isolated incident; it needs to be treated seriously, and that's what the complainant and the victims are asking for.”
'An eyesore'
Talking to the media on Tuesday, RPS Chief Lorilee Davies was blunt in saying these cases have caused an “eyesore on the service.”
“It's not something that I want. It's not something that any of our employees want. Everyone who works here is committed to doing the best for the community, and when these instances happen, you know it makes us all look bad.”
Trust is also something the Regina board of police commissioners will look to re-earn through action, said member Mayor Chad Bachynski.
“It'll take demonstrated efforts and demonstrated actions over time to show that we are accountable, that we are taking this very seriously and that we're going to work very hard over a long period of time to ensure that people can trust [us].”
The actions outlined by police include reaffirming the implementation of eight of the nine recommendations from the Duquette case, excluding the recommendation to permanently revoke his access to the databases.
Davies said revoking his access would be essential, like firing him.
“A police officer needs access to that system to be able to do their job.”
The board also stopped short of committing to an independent review, though Bachynski said discussions will continue on ensuring a balance between service delivery and accountability.
Trish Elliott, one of those who called for systemic change, expressed disappointment and frustration with the board.
“[These] people didn't get elected to these positions just for the fun of it and to attend a meeting once in a while. They need to be listening to civilians and acting for civilians, that's their job.”
Looking ahead
Moving forward, the RPS will impose stricter penalties on officers who improperly access police databases, Davies said.
“I take this very seriously. And so for my role, certainly in terms of rolling out, we have all the things that we need in order to prevent further cases [and] holding those accountable.”
In the past two years, the RPS has made changes to its access and privacy, including random audits.
Davies also said the service is exploring measures requiring officers to provide a reason when accessing police systems.
One big change for future cases is that any new allegation of a privacy breach will automatically be sent to the Crown for an opinion, said Davies.
“I think it's important to show that we will not be determining what the penalty is in those instances. The Crown will make that determination.”
If no charges are laid, the case would return for discipline under the Police Act, a change Davies said will help guide her decisions on disciplinary action.
As for those rallying, they will continue calling for a public inquiry.
“So we want an inquiry where the victims are listened to. There's been no outreach that I'm aware of in any kind of way that would invite testimony from the public and from people impacted by this. It needs to happen,” said Elliott.
