OPP investigating conduct of RNC Sgt. Tim Buckle

The Ontario Provincial Police have been called in to investigate the conduct of a senior officer with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in Corner Brook, following a report from the director of public prosecutions.

The RNC handed an internal investigation in relation toSgt. Tim Buckle's involvement in suspended Const. Sean Kelly's criminal case over to the Crown's office in April.

At the time of Kelly's trial, Judge Wayne Gorman pointed to an eyebrow-raising phone call Buckle made to Kelly, after the RNC received allegations of indecent phone calls made by Kelly.

• Disgraced Corner Brook cop Sean Kelly sentenced to 10 months

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

Gorman also noted that Buckle was in a conflict of interest, as he was serving as Kelly's Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association president and representative.

An internal investigation by the RNC cleared Buckle of any wrongdoing.

However, the report from the director of public prosecutions "identifies that there were deficiencies in the adequacy andsufficiency of the original RNC internal investigation."

"It is felt that the release of furtherinformation at this time could compromise the new investigation," RNC Chief BillJanessaidin a statement released Wednesday.

Kelly was convicted of making the indecent call and causing mischief by attempting to pin the crime on a police source in February.

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

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