Former high-profile RCMP spokesperson dies

A former, well-known spokesperson for the RCMP has died. 1130 NewsRadio has learned Catherine Galliford had cancer.

Galliford was the face of the force before suing the Mounties, speaking during high-profile cases like the Air India bombing trial and Robert Pickton investigation.

She alleged years of sexual harassment that she previously told 1130 NewsRadio had started when she applied to be an RCMP officer in 1990. In a statement of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court more than a decade ago, she said the behaviour continued until she was eventually diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

The corporal’s decision to go public with her experience prompted other female officers to come forward with their stories of abuse and led to a lawsuit detailing allegations that spanned nearly two decades, speaking to the questionable culture within the national police force.

At the time, the RCMP promised to investigate not only Galliford’s claims, but also the prevalence of harassment within its walls.

In 2019, a cash settlement of more than $100 million was reached. Women who worked in non-police roles reached a second, similar settlement later on.

Galliford also filed and settled a civil suit against four members: RCMP officers Const. Marvin Wawia, Insp. Mike Bergerman and Insp. Doug Henderson; Dr. Ian MacDonald, an RCMP-employed physician; Phil Little, who worked for the Vancouver police but was part of the joint RCMP-Vancouver missing women investigation; and the federal and B.C. governments.

She alleged the police officers sexually assaulted, harassed and intimidated her on various occasions during the span of her career. MacDonald was the RCMP physician who she alleged refused to treat her post-traumatic stress, and breached her privacy by sharing details of her medical file with her ex-husband. She added that MacDonald only treated her for alcohol abuse, according to the lawsuit.

The statement of claim said Galliford did not formally complain about Bergerman, Henderson, or Little because she feared it would hurt her career.

Janet Merlo, a former Mountie in B.C. who also filed a lawsuit against the RCMP describing harassment she faced, wrote on LinkedIn, “Just last week, Catherine, Cheryl and I chatted about how absolutely nothing has changed. Nobody kept their word. That hurts more than ever now.”

Galliford was 58.