Brian Burkett outside the Kelowna Courthouse today, June 2nd.
Photo credit: SUBMITTED
June 02, 2021 – 3:28 pm
A former Kelowna police officer who tended to send sexually explicit texts to vulnerable women he met while at work said today his experience since his capture has been “humiliating” and “humiliating”.
Brian Burkett, 38, has made a lot of headlines over the past few years, but to date has never personally addressed the allegations that have been the subject of at least four civil cases and – to date, all of the complaints under. a plea agreement was reduced to one charge – seven cases of breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office.
“I’ve spent the last few years rebuilding my life,” said Burkett, 38, after making an admission of guilt.
“That experience was the most humbling and scary and humiliating time of my life. I’ve worked hard to rebuild my life, to get back to my career, and to reconnect with my family. ”
He has since resigned from the RCMP. Burkett also blamed “media attention” for having strained relationships with his family.
“My actions are my own. … I was scared to ask for help and I am sorry for my actions, ”said Burkett.
“You are not what I am. I very much hope, Your Honor, that I have the opportunity to continue my career and live my life as well as possible. ”
His apology was insufficient to actually address his victims, and that did not go unnoticed.
Only one of the seven women whose experiences form the basis of the Burkett trial managed to hear his admission of guilt in court, and when asked what she learned from his testimony in court, she emphatically replied, “Nothing.”
“He did not say that he was sorry for what he did to us, it was about his children and his career,” she said in front of the courthouse on Wednesday. Her name, like that of the other six women, is protected by a publication ban.
READ MORE: Brian Burkett faces multiple suits
“Well what about my life? What about the trauma that I and the other girls who are not here but are here with me in spirit, what about what we had to do? ”
The whole experience has made her suspicious of the police, and both Crown’s proposed six months to one year prison sentence and the fact that seven charges have been merged into one are deeply troubling to her.
“I think this is a big slap in the face for all of us (those) who have tried to change things,” she said.
Burquett’s actions came to the attention of fellow Mounties in 2016 after a woman complained about his behavior and the floodgates were opened.
“The police then investigated breach of trust,” said Crown attorney Neil Wiberg.
“They confiscated the defendant’s cell phone and the defendant’s cell phone was not encrypted and they had text messages with several women. The police then went back and found out what happened in those situations and charges were brought. ”
In all seven of these cases, Burkett had contact with a complainant on the basis of assignments through his work at the Kelowna RCMP, such as delivering a subpoena or conducting a traffic stop or helping with a domestic robbery. Then he sent texts, often of a sexual nature, that made them uncomfortable and afraid.
The first was a woman who had been a victim of domestic violence. Burkett allegedly took her testimony at the time of the attack and called her about a month later to check if a referral had been made to victim services. From then on, he sent numerous text messages, many of them sexual, including a picture of his penis.
The next woman contacted the Kelowna RCMP to file a criminal harassment complaint by an ex-boyfriend, and Burkett was dispatched to investigate the case. He took a first statement from the woman and she later texted him. Burkett then emailed her asking to see her breasts.
The next woman was stopped by Burkett at a roadside check. She had driven while her license was revoked and when her car was towed he asked her to go out with him. He also sent her several text messages, including pictures of his genitals.
Another woman came into contact with Burkett when her parents called RCMP to say she was suicidal. Two policemen, including Burkett, took her to the hospital. He texted her a little later and noticed that she wasn’t wearing a bra when he took her to the hospital and that she was beautiful. He texted her for a while and asked if she could come over to see how she was doing. He told her he wanted to go out with her and she said no. He went on writing, but she didn’t answer.
The fifth count is from a woman he met while investigating a theft at a liquor store where she worked. A week later he started texting her asking if she would go out with him. Once he parked in front of the liquor store and asked if she would let him in.
Sixth was a woman he testified to after a domestic assault. Two weeks later he started texting her asking if she would go out with him. She refused to communicate with him any further.
Eventually, a woman was arrested on a disorder, and Burkett released her from the cells when she was sober. Later that day, she received a Facebook message asking if she got home safely.
They started texting and sexting. He sent her $ 400 when she said she was having trouble paying her bills and he contacted her and asked if he could visit her at her home. She said no.
Defense attorney Wade Jenson said Burkett admitted all texting was inappropriate but stressed that it was not a criminal matter and should therefore be given a conditional sentence.
“After a three year investigation by Const. Burkett, in his eight-year career as an RCMP officer … the charge that remains is (breach of trust), ”he said.
“In other words, there are no allegations of sexual assault, no allegations of harassment or criminal behavior.”
Breach of trust is described when the official behavior is well below the reasonably expected standard.
“In this case, Mr. Burkett must have acted in a way that was simply unacceptable, he acknowledged,” said Jenson.
“His behavior was contrary to the rules and guidelines laid down for police officers that Burkett both swore by. And he recognized that today in his plea. In all honesty, he admitted this back in August 2016 when he voluntarily sat down with the lead investigator on the matter to make an open and emotional confession – an interview that was interrupted by tears several times. ”
Burkett has in fact been charged with harassment in civil proceedings. The Crown made no mention of these allegations. He was never charged in these circumstances and the allegations remain unchecked.
Jenson went on to make Burkett realize that he had some personal problems that had been locked inside him for some time. Since then he has sought help and advice.
The judge is expected to announce her sentence in the summer.
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