Minister orders probe after ex-officer accused of sexual misconduct gets job at naval base
CBC
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has ordered a review of the rapid release of a former navy commander who was under investigation for sexual misconduct and is now back working as a civilian at the naval base in Halifax.
The move comes days after CBC News first contacted the Department of National Defence (DND) about retired commander Danny Croucher's case.
"When the minister heard of this situation late yesterday afternoon, he was dismayed by the apparent lack of judgment shown," wrote Sajjan's spokesperson Todd Lane in a statement to CBC News.
In June 2020, the navy temporarily removed Croucher from his job as head of the Naval Warfare School at CFB Halifax, the defence department confirmed. He was removed from his post after a complaint was lodged against Croucher alleging he made inappropriate and harmful comments said to be sexual in nature, multiple sources with knowledge of the case said.
Sources said a subsequent investigation found wrongdoing on Croucher's part. Sources said he was expected to receive a so-called "5-F" — an involuntary release from the military. Instead, multiple sources confirmed Croucher's request for a voluntary release was granted, permitting him to land a civilian job at the base in June.
CBC News has now learned the Canadian Armed Forces is reviewing the case to determine whether it broke its own rules. At the very least, it appears the military flouted the spirit of its own regulations by signing off on Croucher's request to voluntarily leave the navy before his case reached the discipline stage.
"The military acted as if they were above the law and can do as it wishes," said military law expert and retired colonel Michel Drapeau.
This story is a collaboration between the Investigative Journalism Foundation and CBC Saskatchewan.
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