Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada Data Breach (2013)

The RCMP is accused of violating the privacy of several of its members by handing over their personal medical records in a dispute with a B.C. psychologist. The Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada filed a complaint today asking the federal privacy commissioner to investigate. The association claims the information was disclosed to B.C.’s College of Psychologists without consent in order to bolster the force’s complaint against psychologist Michael Webster, an outspoken critic of the organization. Association president Rae Banwarie says the disclosure shows a “crass and cynical disregard” for RCMP member’s privacy and most sensitive personal health information. The RCMP filed the complaint against Webster last August, saying his advocacy for change within the organization was detrimental to the treatment of his police officer patients. The college found that the complaint against Webster was unfounded.