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Watchdog Faults Military Police in Hiestand Case, Calling Probe Biased and Rushed

The watchdog's findings were largely rejected by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, underscoring resistance to proposed investigative reforms.

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The watchdog found the investigation lacked supervisory oversight, failed to probe critical issues such as consent, failed to pursue critical witness interviews and failed to review text messages between the alleged victim and accused.

Overview

  • The Military Police Complaints Commission concluded the investigation into Maj. Cristian Hiestand was not impartial or thorough and was driven by confirmation bias and undue haste.
  • The commission reported failures including weak supervisory oversight, no meaningful examination of consent, missed key witness interviews, and no review of relevant text messages.
  • Leadership at the CFB Moose Jaw detachment committed misconduct the night the complaint was made, including an unrecorded interview, an intoxicated supervisor’s involvement, and allowing a potentially involved person to sit in on the statement.
  • The MPCC issued 17 recommendations overall, yet the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal rejected all 13 related to investigative handling and accepted only one of four on detachment conduct, drawing a rebuke from chair Tammy Tremblay and a call for an apology to the family.
  • The findings arrive as the government advances an amended Bill C-11 that would let victims choose military or civilian courts for sexual offences, with the MPCC also urging measures such as mandatory prosecutor consultation before charges.