“He Still Has a Badge”: The Outrageous Message Sent by Vancouver Police’s Harassment Scandal

By Dominica Bernhard

As a woman—and one who has worked in male-dominated environments—I can’t stop asking one question: In what other profession could a man admit to sexually harassing his colleagues and students, be found guilty in a formal investigation, and still return to work, wearing a badge and wielding power? Yet that’s exactly what’s happening in Vancouver.

Earlier this month, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Sgt. Keiron McConnell was found to have sexually harassed multiple women—fellow officers and students alike—through repeated, unsolicited sexual messages and even unwanted physical contact. According to the disciplinary ruling, his conduct was “predatory” and sustained over years.

The penalty? A 20-day suspension without pay, demotion from sergeant to constable, and mandatory counselling. That’s it.  No firing. No criminal charges. No permanent removal from a position of power.

Let me be blunt: If McConnell had been a teacher, a nurse, a corporate executive, or even a barista—he would have been fired. Period. If a high school teacher had texted a student with sexual innuendo or tried to initiate a relationship after rejection, they’d be out of a job and facing legal scrutiny. If a banker sent inappropriate messages to subordinates, they’d be locked out of the building the next morning. But in law enforcement, somehow, we lower the bar.  And that’s terrifying.

Retired judge Carol Baird Ellan, who presided over the disciplinary hearing, acknowledged the seriousness of McConnell’s behavior but cited his past service and his agreement to undergo counselling as mitigating factors. But for those of us watching from the outside, it’s hard not to see this for what it is: institutional tolerance of workplace harassment.

Retired officer Tammy Hammell, who spent years advocating for safer environments within the VPD, called it out plainly. “He’ll be eligible to return to a supervisory role in a year,” she warned. “What message does that send to the women under his command?”  That’s not just a rhetorical question. It’s the one echoing through police departments, HR offices, classrooms, and social media right now.

The VPD’s leadership has since been urged to implement dedicated anti-harassment training and a new policy focused solely on workplace misconduct. Police Complaint Commissioner Prabu Rajan stated that the department must confront the “pervasive culture” that makes victims afraid to report, fearing retaliation or career harm.  But this isn’t just about policies. It’s about trust.

How can any woman working in or with the VPD believe she’ll be protected if she speaks up? How many young women—students, interns, or junior officers—will second-guess themselves because McConnell was given a second chance?  Let’s not forget that this was not an anonymous tip or a disputed incident. This was investigated, documented, confirmed. And still, he kept his job.

Policing is a profession that demands the highest standards of conduct. Officers have authority, power, and influence—over civilians, over suspects, over vulnerable populations. That power must be held to account. If internal disciplinary boards allow sexual harassment to be treated as a “career stumble” rather than a disqualifying abuse of power, we’ve failed the women who trusted the system to protect them.

And let’s not pretend this is an isolated incident. Across Canada and beyond, police departments are reckoning with misconduct, coverups, and toxic cultures. It’s long past time we stop giving officers a pass simply because of their rank or tenure.

As a woman, and as a citizen, I say this: If policing wants the public’s trust, it must earn it. And that starts by proving that no one is above basic standards of respect, safety, and decency—especially those who wear the uniform.  If that’s too much to ask, then we’ve already lost far more than trust. We’ve lost our integrity.

Dominica Bernhard is a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae.  You can reach her at dominica.bernhard@veritasexpositae.com