Public Accounts committee  There was a certain period of that time when there were health concerns, after which he resigned. Would you like me to speak on the hiring practices? I could speak to those rather than my colleague here.

Public Accounts committee  The RCMP agrees that there were hiring misfortunes. There were certain policies that were definitely worked around. The allegations of nepotism, that certain direct relatives were hired and that the staffing policies in place were, again, circumvented, certainly appeared to be fact.

Public Accounts committee  From what I understand, when it became clear that the scope of this investigation was overwhelming for two investigators, Assistant Commissioner Gork went to the other regions and asked other deputies if they could find some qualified investigators who were able to come to Ottawa to take up this investigation.

Public Accounts committee  I can speculate, if you wish me to speculate. I wasn't involved in this criminal investigation.

Public Accounts committee  I never was and am not now in charge of the sergeant we are speaking about right now.

Public Accounts committee  If such a document exists, we will get that and provide it to you.

Public Accounts committee  May I? The internal audit branch stands ready at all times to go into a sector or unit and initiate a very in-depth audit that will look at any alleged irregularities. When the first investigation was called for, the commissioner of the day felt that rather than going in with a narrow focus, he wanted to know exactly what was going on.

Public Accounts committee  It certainly isn't, Mr. Chair. We have to remember that these decisions and these actions occurred several years ago. I'll repeat again that two individuals resigned and have left. Since then, there have been no less than four probes of these matters—

Public Accounts committee  I would never say that was okay. Again I'll draw your—

Public Accounts committee  No, I didn't. That was—

Public Accounts committee  Mr. Chair, those were actions taken by individuals who are no longer with the RCMP. Again, that was several years ago. This should never have happened.

Public Accounts committee  I can state with absolute finality that it was neither Commissioner Zaccardelli nor me who had anything whatsoever to do with, as you say, the removal of Sergeant Frizzell.

Public Accounts committee  No, I'm not aware of who it was. The best I can state is that when Sergeant Frizzell left, I understood he returned to his home division, which was “A” division. I'm being careful with regard to the privacy concerns here, but I understood it was for health reasons.

Public Safety committee  While there will be collaboration among police services for training, we would look to have any efficiencies that we could find in any local environment. But for our own training, the RCMP has our depot and we often have fire ranges that are shared with other agencies such as the military.

Public Safety committee  No, I wouldn't have that information.