OTTAWA (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s civilian watchdog for military police has found serious shortcomings in an internal investigation that led to sexual assault charges against a Royal Canadian Air Force officer who later died by suicide, and is calling for a formal apology to his family.
In reports released Thursday, the Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) concluded that the investigation into Maj. Cristian Hiestand was flawed by “multiple failures,” including confirmation bias, lack of oversight and an undue rush to lay charges.
MPCC chair Tammy Tremblay said investigators relied on assumptions, failed to pursue key evidence such as search warrants, and did not conduct important witness interviews. She described the probe as “inadequate” and said the findings warrant a response that reflects the seriousness of the deficiencies.
Hiestand, a flight instructor with a Royal Canadian Air Force training squadron, was charged with two counts of sexual assault in 2021. He died by suicide about six weeks later. His parents and sister subsequently filed complaints alleging investigators rushed the case and failed to properly examine evidence or obtain his statement before charges were laid.
The commission stressed that its findings do not determine whether the allegations against Hiestand were valid, but focus solely on how the investigation was conducted.
One report found the case lacked supervisory oversight and failed to adequately examine key issues, including consent. Investigators also did not fully review text messages between the complainant and the accused or pursue critical witness testimony.
A separate report found the investigation was compromised from the outset, citing leadership failures at CFB Moose Jaw. It noted that a senior officer who had consumed alcohol became involved in early discussions about the case, raising concerns about judgment and professionalism.
The commission also found indications that investigators chose not to record an interview with the complainant to avoid creating a permanent record of what may have been a flawed initial interview.
Despite the MPCC’s findings, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal’s office had previously cleared military police of wrongdoing in its own internal review, arguing the investigation was ongoing at the time charges were laid and would have continued had Hiestand not died.
Tremblay said most of her recommendations — including requiring investigators to consult prosecutors before laying sexual assault charges — were rejected, calling the response indicative of a “total lack of accountability.”
Lawyer Rory Fowler, representing the family, said they believe the handling of the investigation contributed to Hiestand’s death and expressed disappointment at the military’s refusal to adopt key reforms.
The reports come as the federal government moves forward with legislation to reform how sexual assault cases are handled in the military. Proposed amendments under Bill C-11 would allow victims to choose whether such cases proceed in military courts or civilian courts.
