Saskatoon Police Officer's Termination Upheld After Controversial Friendship
An independent hearing officer has affirmed the dismissal of a former Saskatoon Police Service sergeant, concluding that his inappropriate association with an individual connected to the Hells Angels motorcycle club warranted termination. The decision marks a significant development in a case that has raised questions about police integrity and professional boundaries.
Hearing Officer's Ruling on Police Conduct
In a detailed written decision published on the Saskatchewan Police Commission website, hearing officer Ronni Nordal determined that Police Chief Cam McBride acted appropriately in firing former Sgt. Robbie Taylor. Nordal found that Taylor's conduct demonstrated a fundamental lack of judgment and integrity essential for law enforcement personnel.
The ruling specifically highlighted several concerning aspects of Taylor's behavior:
- Failure to recognize or willful blindness regarding the risks of maintaining friendship with someone associated with an outlaw motorcycle gang
- Acceptance of valuable gifts including an expensive watch from the individual
- Attempting to use his police position to benefit his friend during a traffic stop
- Participating in international travel where he accepted upgraded accommodations and flights
Details of the Inappropriate Association
According to testimony presented during the appeal hearing held at Saskatoon's Park Town Hotel in September, Taylor initially met the individual while having his cellphone data transferred at a local business. Despite being aware of the man's criminal conviction for drug trafficking, Taylor maintained what Nordal characterized as an inappropriate friendship that created potential conflicts of interest.
"There was potential for an actual or perceived conflict of interest," Nordal wrote in her decision, emphasizing that Taylor should have reported the relationship to his superiors.
Taylor's Defense and Regret
During the appeal proceedings, Taylor expressed remorse for his actions, particularly regarding his attempt to intervene in a traffic stop involving his friend. "I deeply regret it," he testified about messaging another officer to "Let that guy go."
Taylor defended his association by suggesting that individuals with criminal backgrounds need positive influences in their lives. He noted that he had befriended other people with drug-related issues, framing these relationships as potentially rehabilitative rather than problematic.
Legal Response and Broader Implications
Brian Pfefferle, Taylor's legal representative, characterized the dismissal of the appeal as sending a "chilling" message to frontline officers across Saskatchewan. Pfefferle argued that the police service, already facing recruitment challenges, should reconsider dismissing members with over two decades of service.
Nordal's decision remained firm, stating that "Mr. Taylor appears to have placed his loyalty to his friend, above his loyalty to his position as an SPS member." She concluded that his conduct undermined public confidence in policing and demonstrated insufficient insight into the professional standards required of law enforcement officers.
The individual at the center of the controversy remains protected by a publication ban, and Taylor has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. The case continues to resonate within law enforcement circles as departments grapple with balancing officer discretion against maintaining strict professional boundaries.
