Third paragraph from the end reads: "
The court was told that Khamphoune suffered from depression and insomnia in recent years and began psychiatric counselling in 2007, when he was placed on medication."
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Richmond+Mountie+receives+conditional+discharge+shoplifting/1993147/story.html Richmond Mountie receives conditional discharge for shoplifting
By NEAL HALL , VANCOUVER SUN September 14, 2009
METRO VANCOUVER -- A Richmond RCMP who is suspended without pay has been given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to shoplifting.
Khomphet (Kam) Khamphoune, 36, was nabbed at Extra Foods at 7190 Kerr Street in Vancouver on May 29, 2008, after he was observed taking a large quantity of over-the-counter medications.
He was followed out of the store, stopped by a store detective and asked to return to the store, where he was questioned and became uncooperative, refusing to give his name.
After Vancouver police were called, he advised police he was a constable with Richmond RCMP.
The value of the goods was $133.27, but Khamphoune was found to have $150 cash in his pockets and a debit card and credit cards in his wallet, showing he could have afforded to pay for the items.
At the time of the offence, Khamphoune had been suspended with pay on Dec. 11, 2007, after he was charged with taking home RCMP-issued gear, including gas masks, restricted firearms and ammunition.
Provincial Court Judge Ron Fratkin found there were plausible explanations for those items being found at Khamphoune’s Vancouver home, so the Mountie was acquitted on those charges in July 2008.
When he entered a guilty plea to the shoplifting offence on May 8, 2009, he was suspended without pay.
Vancouver provincial court Judge Jocelyn Palmer, in sentencing Khamphoune for shoplifting, decided to impose a conditional discharge with a period of probation for two months.
“Someone who was not formerly a peace officer on active or off duty would most likely be granted an absolute discharge in these circumstances,” the judge pointed out.
Khamphoune still faces an RCMP disciplinary hearing in October.
The court was told that Khamphoune suffered from depression and insomnia in recent years and began psychiatric counselling in 2007, when he was placed on medication.
Khamphoune obtained a bachelor of science degree in 1998. Before completing his degree, he entered the army.
He joined the RCMP in 2001 and was initially stationed in North Vancouver. At that time, he was newly married, but his wife was living in another city. In 2004, he was transferred to the Richmond detachment.
nhall@vancouversun.com
The full sentencing judgment is online at: http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgments/pc/2009/02/p09_0288.htm