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RCMP cite ‘breakdown’ in alleged kidnapping

Jermy Nolais (Metro) – The RCMP says a communication breakdown allowed a convicted sex offender to drive away from a traffic stop with a young girl during an alleged kidnapping.

The results of an official review were released yesterday after the Feb. 24 incident that saw John Francis Dionne pulled over for speeding near Airdrie and subsequently released.

Police allege Dionne abducted a 10-year-old girl from Deerfoot Mall just minutes before.

When the officer, a veteran of more than 25 years, radioed in to dispatch with Dionne’s details, he did not hear the caution code advising that the sex offender was of “special interest to police,” said Insp. James Stiles.

“The RCMP dispatcher sent the information to the computer in his car, but sent it in such a fashion it wasn’t a priority message and so the officer never saw it,” Stiles said.

Stiles said the two people involved will not face disciplinary action.

In a letter released this month, the parents of the girl said they had met with the officer in question, describing him as a “genuine man” and crediting him with saving their daughter’s life.

Bradley Bostock, executive director of Child Find Alberta, commended the police for being open with the public.

“They have said that there was a breakdown, they have owned the mistake … and have acknowledged that policies may not have been followed,” he said.

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Categories: Dudley Do-Right, D’oh, Shoddy Investigations.

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