Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘This is entirely an isolated incident’: Former Sask. RCMP officer sentenced for breach of trust

Jun 4, 2021 | 1:34 PM

A former Saskatchewan RCMP officer, who accessed a sensitive image of an adult female inmate, while she was in custody, will not have a criminal record, providing he can abide by a number of conditions over the next nine months.

Wade Chitrena was surrounded by family support Friday, when he received a conditional discharge at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. At a separate court hearing in January, the 55-year-old pleaded guilty to breach of trust by a public officer.

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Bill Burge, the female victim was arrested in August, 2018, and taken to the Buffalo Narrows detachment. Burge explained the woman was described as intoxicated, beligerent and suicidal.

During her time in custody, the woman stripped down naked, with the exception of her underwear. Roughly two months later, members of the Dillon detachment discovered a number of papers on the printer, and one of those papers contained an image taken from the surveillance camera footage of the topless woman.

Further investigation revealed Chitrena, who was an acting corporal at the time, was the only member who could have accessed the photo. It was also revealed that there had been no need for anyone to access the surveillance camera footage as there was no investigation into the woman’s charges. Burge explained Chitrena later admitted to what he had done.

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“He said he had a porn addiction and a number of other stresses in his life,” Burge said.

Burge did indicate in court at least two attempts had been made to ask the victim to provide a victim impact statement, but she declined.

Citing the need for denunciation and deterrence, both for the RCMP as well as the general public, the Crown was asking for a suspended sentence, which would not involve jail time but would mean he would carry a criminal record. Defence lawyer Brad Mitchell in turn suggested a conditional discharge was more appropriate.

“This is entirely an isolated incident,” he said, adding the image had been solely for private purposes and there was no indication others were urged to look at it.

Following the charge in November 2018, Chitrena was on suspension with pay and ceased to be an RCMP officer as of November, 2020.

Noting a number of letters of support that had been provided for Chitrena, including at least two from RCMP members, Mitchell explained Chitrena was an 11 year member of the RCMP, and during that time, had been heavily involved in the community and was engaged with Elders.

Mitchell also explained as a result of the charge and the subsequent media coverage of the case, Chitrena had not only lost his position with the RCMP, but also a subsequent job he had in an unrelated field of work.

Noting the assumed media coverage stemming from Friday’s sentencing, Mitchell further explained a conditional discharge was the only way Chitrena could move on with his life with his family, and maintain his current employment.

The decision

Noting it was a “close call” between the two submissions, and weighing whether it was contrary to the public interest, Justice B.J. Sherman agreed Chitrena had already paid a significant penalty for his crime.

“I am not satisfied in this circumstance more is needed to denounce the conduct and deter others,” he said.

Chitrena’s probationary conditions include he must attend treatment and counseling, and complete 45 hours of community service.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell