Police watchdog clears Brandon officer who destroyed images in 'revenge porn' case

Manitoba's police watchdog says no charges should be laid against aBrandon police officer who destroyed a thumb drive of images that were part of a "revenge porn" case.

TheIndependent Investigation Unit of Manitobareleased a report on Wednesday saying it has concluded its probe and is not satisfied that "reasonable and probable grounds" exist to warrant charges under the Criminal Code.

In a lawsuit filed in November 2017, Brittany Roque, a police officer in the community of Rivers, Man., says she sent intimate images of herself to Ryan Friesen, a Brandon police officer, during a brief romantic relationship in 2015.

The lawsuit alleges another woman who had a relationship with Friesen, Terri-Lyn Peters, found the intimate images on Friesen's computer, made copies of them, and then distributed them to a memberof the Brandon Police Service, where Roque was applying for a job.

She was eventually removed from consideration for the job, according to the IIUreport.

Roquelater filed a complaint to the BPSthat intimate images had been distributed without her consent and used to disqualify her from the job. She also alleged the officer who received and viewed the images destroyed the thumb drive containing them just as shewas in the process of making her formal complaint.

TheIIUsaid it was made aware of the complaint inJuly 2017 and launched aninvestigation into whether the officer who received, viewed and handled the images had committed a criminal offence.

In his final report, IIU director Zane Tesslercleared him, citing the officer's need to serve the public good by vetting police prospects carefully.

"The hiring process for a police officer, including determining the suitability of such a public servant to be held to very high standards, fits within the definition of 'public good,'" Tesslerwrote.

Although theIIUinvestigation was complete inJanuary 2018, other connected proceedings were ongoing,in particularanRCMPinvestigation about the alleged distribution of intimate images and the conduct of Peters, Tessler'sreport states.

That was aseparate and distinct investigation from the IIU's, which concerned itself only with the conduct of BPS officers and the destruction of a thumb drive containing the images.

TheIIUheld off publishing its report until thoseproceedings had been completed.

RCMPspokeswoman Tara Seel told CBC News that no charges have been laid against anyone as a result of their investigation, either.

Damages, destruction order sought

Roque's lawsuit refers to the situation as a case of "revenge porn" and seeks damages from Friesen and Peters, and asks the court to order anyone who has copies of the intimate images to destroy them.

In his own court documents, Friesen claims he thoughthe deleted all of the intimate images of Roquebut that a few of themhad been unintentionally saved in his personal online email account.

He alleges Peters "hacked into the account using her own personal computer and took the intimate images of Roque."

Peters has since deniedthe allegations and has filed a third-party claim alleging the images were in fact sent byFriesenand another man, Devon LeBlanc.

Peters' lawyer optimistic

When reached for comment about the IIU'sreport, Peters' lawyerRhea Majewskisaid she believesit supports the main thrust of her client's defence.

"We are hopeful this will conclude the matter but if it proceeds to trial we're optimistic the court will find along the same lines of this report and clear Ms. Peters of any wrongdoing," Majewski said in an email.

None of the allegations hasbeen proven in court and no trial dates for the lawsuit have been set, according to court records.

In his defence statement to the accusations against him by Peters, LeBlancdenies distributing the intimate images and denies having them in his possession.