Force must reinstate cadet and pay up to $650,000
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has found the RCMP discriminated against a Muslim cadet and has ordered the force to reinstate him and pay him between $500,000 and $650,000 in back pay.
The tribunal heard how Ali Tahmoupour, a former RCMP cadet in Regina, suffered verbal abuse and discrimination, was unfairly evaluated and singled out because of his Muslim beliefs and was eventually terminated from his cadet training in 1999.
"The RCMP's discriminatory conduct denied Mr. Tahmourpour the opportunity to complete training and to make his living as an RCMP officer," the ruling stated.
The 65-page ruling found Tahmourpour was ridiculed by a training officer in front of his peers for insisting on wearing a religious pendant and by another officer for using his Persian-style signature. It also found he was verbally abused by an officer who would stand next to him and "scream in his ear" that he was a "loser," a "coward," and "f---ing useless."
While the RCMP argued Tahmourpour was dismissed because of poor performance, the ruling stated the "discriminatory treatment prevented Mr. Tahmourpour from demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to be a police officer."
The tribunal also ordered the RCMP to institute measures at the Regina training facility, known as Depot, to prevent further cases of discrimination.
The tribunal heard how Ali Tahmoupour, a former RCMP cadet in Regina, suffered verbal abuse and discrimination, was unfairly evaluated and singled out because of his Muslim beliefs and was eventually terminated from his cadet training in 1999.
"The RCMP's discriminatory conduct denied Mr. Tahmourpour the opportunity to complete training and to make his living as an RCMP officer," the ruling stated.
The 65-page ruling found Tahmourpour was ridiculed by a training officer in front of his peers for insisting on wearing a religious pendant and by another officer for using his Persian-style signature. It also found he was verbally abused by an officer who would stand next to him and "scream in his ear" that he was a "loser," a "coward," and "f---ing useless."
While the RCMP argued Tahmourpour was dismissed because of poor performance, the ruling stated the "discriminatory treatment prevented Mr. Tahmourpour from demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to be a police officer."
The tribunal also ordered the RCMP to institute measures at the Regina training facility, known as Depot, to prevent further cases of discrimination.
