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City security cameras ‘likely’ used to ogle women, investigator concludes

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Doug Gillard: Manager of municipal enforcement accused of inappropriate behaviour.

An investigator hired by the City of Yellowknife to examine allegations of workplace misconduct by municipal enforcement manager Doug Gillard has concluded it was “more likely than not” that city security cameras were used to ogle women in and around 2014.

The inquiry into allegations of workplace misconduct against MED manager Doug Gillard has concluded inappropriate use of city security cameras 'likely.'
Sidney Cohen/NNSL photo

A brief, unsigned letter on the city website states that while the allegations about the inappropriate camera use are likely true, it’s also probable that no one else at city hall outside of the Department of Public Safety knew about it.

“The investigation indicates that this misconduct was not reported to city staff outside of those involved with the Department of Public Safety and that there was no indication city staff outside the Department of Public Safety ought to have been aware of this misconduct prior to these allegations becoming public in the fall of 2017,” the letter states.

The department oversees both the Municipal Enforcement Division (MED) and the fire department. It was headed by former director Dennis Marchiori until he resigned from the city last May.

Gillard remains manager of municipal enforcement and to date, has never publicly addressed the allegations.

The city hired Vancouver-based law firm Miller Thomson LLP in March – two months after the explosive allegations from several former MED officers came to light. They accused Gillard of among other things, hitting subordinate officers in the groin, spitting on their sunglasses and making lewd and sexually suggestive remarks about female staff at city hall.

Edmonton lawyer Dev Chankasingh was in turn hired by Miller Thomson to conduct the investigation.

The original scope of the investigation focused on how the city handled allegations of workplace harassment and misconduct by former bylaw officer Shane Pierson -- whom Gillard fired in 2014 – but was later expanded to include the security camera allegations after some city councillors complained the scope was too narrow.

The allegations that Gillard used security cameras to zoom in and ogle women at the library were heard in sworn statements by two former officers related to a lawsuit filed by Doug Norrad, a former bylaw supervisor who says he was wrongfully dismissed by Gillard in 2012.

The investigator’s letter states the original investigation by the city into Pierson’s complaint had followed “proper procedure.”

“It was determined that while the process for communication as to the outcome of the investigation could have been improved upon, all interested parties were advised of the outcome,” the letter states.

The investigator also concluded that the city took immediate and appropriate action after learning about the security camera allegations last fall, and that it had taken steps to inform staff about how to deal with workplace misconduct.

“Through the official inquiry, the city has also received recommendations as to how its policies and processes may be further improved upon to prevent and respond to harassment and other workplace misconduct,” the letter states.

Those recommendations are not included with the investigator’s letter.

Coun. Adrian Bell issued a statement Wednesday morning saying he has concerns about transparency and the limited information provided in the final statement but understands administration and the investigator are being careful not to expose the city to liability.

He did write that the process isn't over yet.

"Based on the finding that workplace misconduct related to security camera misuse more likely than not occurred, the city is seeking external legal advice on appropriate next steps," Bell stated.

More to follow.