Cpl. Peter Leckie, who has been a member of Surrey RCMP since 2010, entered a guilty plea in October to three charges of breach of trust, according to information provided by Surrey RCMP.
A Surrey RCMP officer stands accused of exploiting his authority by illicitly accessing police databases for information about a troubled 19-year-old sex worker and her mother, subsequently making pretenses to enter their home in pursuit of a sexual relationship with the teenager, a British Columbia court was told on Wednesday.
Cpl. Peter Leckie, 38, entered guilty pleas in October to three counts of breach of trust, admitting to unauthorized access to the confidential files of three women for personal sexual satisfaction. The Crown prosecutor contended that Leckie deliberately chose women facing challenging circumstances, making it less likely for his colleagues to question his interest in their files.
During the victim impact statement, the unnamed 19-year-old disclosed that, when they first met in 2014, Leckie was aware of her recent father's murder, borderline personality disorder diagnosis, and entry into the sex trade. She accused him of taking advantage of her vulnerable state, emphasizing the profound impact on her mental health.
The mother of the young woman echoed these sentiments, characterizing Leckie as a predator preying on her daughter's vulnerabilities. Leckie, who resides in Langley, was reported to have accessed the mother's files as well.
In response to his guilt, no jail time is being recommended. Both the Crown and defense jointly proposed an 18-month conditional sentence, encompassing six months of house arrest with electronic monitoring, followed by a year of probation.
Expressing remorse, Leckie acknowledged the shame brought upon himself, his profession, and the RCMP. He revealed his dream of becoming a police officer since childhood and asserted his consistent dedication over his 13-year tenure. Leckie claimed a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, attributing his actions to unrecognized health tolls.
The young victim rejected any apology as adequate, emphasizing the importance for Leckie to lead a better life. She disclosed her departure from the sex trade and her 21 months of sobriety since the exploitation.
The court considered Leckie's difficult circumstances leading up to the crimes, including the death of a close friend, Const. Adrian Oliver, and his struggles with alcohol and infidelity. Both prosecution and defense asserted that Leckie's rehabilitation chances are higher under strict community conditions, acknowledging the potential impact on public trust in police.
Leckie, who has been suspended from duty without pay, is scheduled for a code of conduct hearing in June. The sentencing hearing is set to continue on Thursday.
