A Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in British Columbia has been given an ultimatum: resign or be fired. This severe disciplinary action stems from his involvement in inappropriate and vulgar group chats, a breach of the national police force's professional standards.
Constable Faces Dismissal Following Code of Conduct Hearing
The officer at the centre of the case is Constable Ian Solven, who served with the Coquitlam RCMP detachment. The decision was handed down following an RCMP code of conduct hearing that concluded in September 2025. The adjudicator found that Solven's participation in the offensive digital communications warranted the most serious of penalties.
While the precise contents of the group chats have not been publicly detailed in full, they were characterized as vulgar and unprofessional, violating the RCMP's core values and expected standards of behaviour for its members. The hearing determined that such conduct undermined the integrity of the force and damaged public trust.
The Ultimatum and Path to the Hearing
Constable Solven was presented with a stark choice after the hearing's findings. He must voluntarily submit his resignation from the RCMP, or he will be formally dismissed from duty. This type of order is reserved for the most serious breaches of the RCMP Act and its code of conduct.
The hearing itself took place in Richmond, B.C., and was part of a formal disciplinary process initiated by the RCMP's professional standards unit. Such hearings are conducted to adjudicate allegations of misconduct internally, separate from any potential criminal proceedings.
Broader Implications for Police Conduct and Accountability
This case highlights the ongoing challenges police forces face in monitoring and regulating the off-duty, digital conduct of their members. The RCMP, like other Canadian police services, has repeatedly emphasized the need for officers to uphold the law and professional standards at all times, including in private digital forums.
The decision to force an officer's resignation over group chat content sends a strong message about accountability. It demonstrates that behaviour deemed to bring the force into disrepute, even if it occurs in a seemingly private setting among colleagues, can have career-ending consequences. This incident is likely to prompt further internal reviews regarding digital communication policies within the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies across Canada.
