RNC investigation flawed, but no charges to be laid against senior officer

The Ontario Provincial Police has found there were deficiencies in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's handling of an investigation into the actions of one of its officers, but there are no grounds for criminal charges.

• OPP investigating conduct of RNC Sgt. Tim Buckle

The RNC issued a press release Thursday, which said the OPP finished its investigation and foundthere are no reasonable and probablegrounds for charges against Sgt. Tim Buckle.

In July, the RNC handed the OPPits internal investigation of Buckle's involvement in suspended Const. Sean Kelly's criminal case.

Kelly was convicted this year of making indecent calls and committing public mischief by falsely implicating an innocent person.

At the time, Judge WayneGormanpointed to an eyebrow-raising phone call Buckle made to Kelly, after the RNC received allegations of indecent phone calls made by Kelly.

During the call, Buckle told Kelly he was giving him a "heads up" that he was being investigated.

Gorman's questioning of the call and a complaint filed by the person who was falsely implicated in the case prompted a review by the province's director of public prosecutions.

The director, who found deficiencies in the case, then passed it on to Ontario's provincial force.

Meanwhile, Kelly has beensuspended without pay, while his conduct is being reviewed by theRNC Professional Standards Branch.

He wassentencedto 10 months in jail in April, but was released shortly after on bail pending an appeal of his sentence.