OSOYOOS TIMES-September 29, 2010

By Paul Everest – Osoyoos Times

In response to a harassment lawsuit filed earlier this month, several members of the Osoyoos-Oliver RCMP detachment have expressed their admiration and respect for their commanding officers.
Jason and Sasha MacLean, a married couple who worked out of the detachment until earlier this year, filed a suit in British Columbia Supreme Court on Sept. 8 against Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski, commander of the detachment, Sgt. Kevin Schur and Cpl. Michael Field.
In the suit the couple allege that Lozinski, Schur and Field, who served as the couple’s supervising officers during their time at the detachment, harassed and intimidated them on a number of occasions in 2008.
The allegations stem from times when the couple were on medical or annual leave and include examples of the defendants verbally harassing them, not following standard RCMP procedures and making false claims about the couple.
None of the allegations against the three defendants have been proven.
Const. Joe Bayda of the Osoyoos-Oliver RCMP detachment said he has had nothing but positive experiences with the three Mounties named in the suit.
“I have had many different careers prior to this one, and I can say unequivocally that Cpl. Field, Sgt. Schur and Staff Sgt. Lozinski are three of the best people I have ever worked for,” he said in a statement submitted to the Osoyoos Times. “Not only are they managers but they truly are leaders. While it would be easy to sit behind a desk and bark orders, these three do exactly the opposite and instead lead by example.
“Whether it is staying behind an hour after shift to help out while family waits at home, or leading a training day on their own time, or showing us ‘younger’ officers how to get that drug investigation rolling, each of these supervisors does what it takes to ensure their employees are given the tools needed to grow not just as police officers, but also as people.”
Joe added that he is sincere in making these comments.
“I understand that some people may hear my opinion and shrug it off as ‘He’s got to say that, those are his bosses he’s talking about. They sign his paycheque.’ And to that I offer this. Please approach me and talk to me at any time; whether I’m on duty or off duty, it doesn’t matter. I have no doubt that you will believe my sincerity when I speak about how proud I am to be a police officer in Osoyoos and Oliver, and more specifically about how proud I am to call Cpl. Mike Field, Sgt. Kevin Schur and Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski my supervisors.”
Joe’s brother Jason, who is a corporal with the detachment, also spoke highly of his commanding officers.
“These three members have been nothing but professional in any dealings I have had with them,” he said in a statement submitted to the Times. “Each one of them comes across to me as being proud to serve their communities and they are full of integrity.”
Jason also said his supervising officers have always helped out their fellow members.
“It is endless the times Lozinski has worked a double shift just so his members can have a needed break. He does this often when he notices his members are feeling over-worked due to staffing shortages.”
He added that his supervisors have covered shifts for him when he had to leave on an unexpected trip and have “ensured my plate was clean prior to me coming back.”
“Now if that is not supporting your members and having concern for their well being then I do not know what is.”
National and provincial spokespeople for the RCMP were unable before press time to verify if all of the defendants have been served with the MacLean’s Notice of Claim or to answer questions about some of the RCMP policies outlined in the lawsuit.
The Times was unable to reach the MacLeans for comment.
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