Conduct Case MPCC‑2019‑024 Summary

The complainant was accused of the domestic assault of his female spouse. The spouse took photos of bruises she claimed to have sustained after she was pushed to the ground by the complainant. She shared these with a friend who then told a social worker at the Child and Family Services (CFS) about the situation.

Two days after the domestic assault, the social worker went to the local military police unit, apprised the members of the situation and asked for an escort to conduct a check-in at the family residence. Three military police members accompanied the social worker to the family residence.

The complainant alleged that: the military police arrived at his residence and arrested and charged him without a diligent investigation; that he was handcuffed in view of his children; and that the military police member leading the investigation was biased because she is a female.

In response to the Military Police Complaints Commission’s (MPCC) report, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) made several comments regarding the MPCC's findings and recommendation. The MPCC considers the recommendation for the CFPM to remind all military police members involved best practices of detailed, accurate and timely documentation to be partially accepted by the CFPM.

The MPCC found that in the circumstances, the military police members should have obtained a warrant prior to arresting the complainant. The evidence did not support the other allegations.

Also, having a female lead investigator respond to a complaint by a female about intimate partner violence is not inappropriate and does not constitute bias.

Date modified:

2024-01-08