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The hearing for a Saskatoon police officer who was fired due to his friendship with a Hells Angels associate has taken a new turn.
Sgt. Robbie Taylor was dismissed in March, and is appealing the decision at an independent hearing this week.
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On Thursday, Taylor’s counsel brought forward an abuse of process application, arguing that a key document tied to a 2023 traffic stop was withheld from the disclosure.
Earlier this week, Saskatoon police chief Cam McBride testified that Taylor was removed from his position for several reasons, including writing a letter to the Parole Board of Canada in support of the biker gang’s associate and attempting to influence other investigators by promoting his view that the man was, as McBride put it, “a good guy.”
The Hells Angels associate’s name is protected under a publication ban.
The most significant allegation, according to McBride, was related to a traffic stop in October of 2023. The police chief said Taylor attempted to intervene in an effort to influence another officer not to issue the associate a ticket.
McBride testified that the incident was brought forward to former police chief Troy Cooper, but there was no subsequent investigation or discipline.
Brian Pfefferle, who is representing Taylor at the hearing, said the memo outlining Cooper’s decision was missing. He said Cooper’s ruling on the matter is an essential piece of information in order to ensure a fair hearing.
“Finding out midway through the investigation that the previous chief of police dismissed the most significant allegation… this is like a redo,” Pfefferle told reporters.
He said that the investigation by the former police chief, which could be positive or even exculpatory, was essentially covered up.
“Who was interviewed, what happened, what the reasons were – those were also covered up,” Pfefferle added.
Pfefferle said Taylor is seeking his reinstatement to the force.
Ashley Smith, who is representing the Saskatoon Police Service at the hearing, argued McBride’s decision to dismiss Taylor was not bound by the actions of the previous police chief.
She said there have been significant developments since then, such as Taylor accepting gifts from the associate and the police force receiving new information about the associate’s ties to the notorious biker gang.
Smith said there was no attempt to hide or conceal any documents, and said Cooper verbally told McBride that there would not be an investigation into the traffic stop incident.
On Friday, a decision on the application will be made by independent hearing officer Ronni Nordal, who is presiding over the hearing.
