Former Stettler RCMP constable Glen Gabruch was on the docket to appear before a judge at the Alberta Provincial Court in Stettler on Sept. 24, but a lawyer appeared in his stead.
The constable, who recently was transferred to Lloydminster, was charged with assault stemming from an incident late last year, according to Stettler RCMP Cpl. Cam Russell, who spoke with the Independent after provincial court was concluded.
Defense lawyer Daniel Wilson appeared in court as an agent for Gabruch’s lawyer, who was not present, and asked for time to resolve a potential conflict of interest issue with Gabruch’s lawyer.
Wilson did not elaborate on the conflict, and judge G.E. Deck agreed to the stay, postponing the matter over until Oct. 9.
The transfer to the Lloydminster RCMP is completely unrelated to the charge against Gabruch, Russell said, noting that the transfer order was in existence prior to the complainant making his or her complaints against the constable.
The delay in filling the order was due to difficulty in selling the Gabruch family’s home.
When the complaint was made against Gabruch, Stettler RCMP transferred the case to an internal affairs department investigator out of Edmonton, who recommended charges be laid, Russell explained. The members of the Stettler RCMP detachment were not involved in the investigation.
“We totally disagree with (the charge),” Russell said. “Gabruch has 100 per cent backing of the Stettler detachment.”
Russell confirmed the accusation against Gabruch comes from an incident that took place while Gabruch was executing his duties as a constable of the RCMP.
Gabruch, who worked in the Stettler detachment for about eight years, has not entered a plea in the matter. The allegations have not been proven in a court of law.