Public Prosecutions to review RNC Sgt. Tim Buckle's conduct again

Newfoundland and Labrador Public Prosecutions is taking a second look at its report into the conduct of a high-ranking police officer, after an outside police force determined there was no criminal wrongdoing.

• RNC investigation flawed, but no charges to be laid against senior officer
• RNC Sgt. Tim Buckle investigation passed on to Crown's office: police chief
• RNC chief says more to Sgt. Tim Buckle investigation than a single phone call

Sgt.Tim Buckle was the subject of a probe by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) last summer, after a Corner Brook judge questioned Buckle'sconduct in investigating a fellow officer.

In December, the OPP found Buckle's handling of the investigation of Const. Sean Kelly was flawed but that no criminal charges were warranted.

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

At the time, Judge WayneGormanpointed to an eyebrow-raising phone call that 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.

Second look

Prior to the OPP's investigation, the RNC asked Public Prosecutions to review how it handled Buckle.

In a news release Thursday, Public Prosecutions said its report concluded that there were deficiencies in the RNC investigation.

Now that the OPP report is out, it said prosecutors are looking to review all the material gathered by the OPP in relation to the case, "for the purposes of determining whether theconclusions reached by Public Prosecutions in its June 6, 2015 report should be reassessed."

In a statement from Director of Public Prosecutions, Donovan Molloy, he writes the review is "not a reflection of doubt regarding the previous conclusions of Public Prosecutions or the conclusions of the OPP."

Molloy said he wants to ensure Public Prosecutions has reviewed everything relating to the case, including the OPP file.

There is no word on when the additional review will be complete.