A police conduct adjudicator fired a B.C. RCMP officer with immediate effect on Wednesday, saying his conduct was “too egregious” to justify allowing him to remain a member of the force. Louise Morel said Coquitlam RCMP Const. Philip Dick’s actions amounted to discreditable conduct, finding he “abandoned several of the essential core values of the force.” “Constable Dick took an oath to serve and protect the public,” said Morel. “He put aside that oath to degrade members of the public, vulnerable persons and colleagues.” Dick is one of three officers from the Coquitlam detachment who faced code of conduct proceedings over sexist, racist and harassing comments made in a group chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal, as well as over police mobile data terminals. He, along with Constables Ian Solven and Mersad Mesbah, had been suspended with pay since 2021, when the allegations were brought forward to senior members of the Coquitlam detachment. Solven was the first of the three to be disciplined. In December, he was given the option to resign within 14 days or be terminated. He is no longer with the force. Mesbah was fired last month. During a hearing last week, Dick said he has undergone cognitive behavioural therapy and recommitted to his religious faith since being suspended. His lawyer Anita Atwal argued he should be allowed to remain an officer and said a significant financial penalty would be appropriate. Morel said that while she believed Dick was unlikely to reoffend, strong deterrence was needed to prevent others from committing similar misconduct in the future. “Police officers hold an elevated position in the community, and as such there is a higher expectation placed on them,” said Morel. “Constable Dick has failed in his responsibilities to avoid behaviour on or off duty that may bring the RCMP into disrepute or damage the relationship or trust and confidence between the police and the public.”
