The lawyer representing a British Columbia RCMP officer facing potential dismissal over inappropriate comments in a private group chat argues that her client believed his actions were acceptable within the force. Allison Tremblay, who represents Coquitlam RCMP Constable Mersad Mesbah, stated during a police hearing that her client was misled by superiors and thought it was permissible to "joke, vent, and use unfiltered language" in a group chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal.

Tremblay made her remarks during closing submissions at a hearing to determine whether Mesbah and two other Coquitlam RCMP constables, Ian Solven and Philip Dick, engaged in misconduct. Earlier, John MacLaughlan, a lawyer for the RCMP's conduct authority, described Mesbah's comments as violating the force's code of conduct and labeled them as "downright ghastly."

Tremblay contended that the RCMP has no legitimate interest in comments made in private chats on officers' personal devices. "The members thought Signal was private. That’s why they were on Signal. That’s why they chose Signal," she said. Mesbah compared the chat to conversations held in his own home, while Tremblay argued that text messages are akin to "modern phone calls."

She emphasized that the RCMP should not have any interest in personal thoughts shared in private communications, likening them to a member's diary or a private dinner party. Tremblay warned that the conduct board's ruling could set a precedent regarding police officers' expectations of privacy in their communications.

While Mesbah acknowledged that some of his comments were inappropriate, Tremblay criticized the investigation as procedurally unfair, claiming it involved "fishing expeditions" not allowed under the RCMP Act. She argued that the investigation was flawed and that "shoddy police work" should not be tolerated, asserting that the RCMP lacks legal authority over members' private communications.

MacLaughlan countered Tremblay's claims, stating that Mesbah's comments included disparaging remarks about a domestic violence victim. He questioned Mesbah's credibility, suggesting that his testimony was self-serving and inconsistent. MacLaughlan noted that the absence of a specific RCMP policy regarding private group chats does not excuse the officers' conduct.

"The fact that there may have been a policy gap with respect to private group chats can’t be conflated with a permissive approach to engage in discreditable conduct," he said. He reiterated that a higher standard of conduct applies to police officers.

The adjudicator for the conduct board is expected to announce her decision regarding the three officers on November 7.

This report was first published on October 22, 2025.