A Prince George couple was shocked to learn the mugger who attacked them last week got turned loose by Mounties a few minutes after the robbery.
And it turns out RCMP supervisors were shocked too.
Maggie Douglas and her fiancee, who declined to provide his name, were walking home one evening last week when he was threatened and assaulted by a man they encountered on the street.
Police response was swift.
"After finding the assailant, he was arrested," said Douglas. "I felt at ease knowing that the assailant - who had a woman's purse with a wallet inside it and a DVD player in his bag and a bunch of movie cases that looked like they had been scooped off a video store shelf - would go to the jail for the night."
But the next day, when the couple was contacted again by police for more interviews, Douglas discovered the assailant would get off scot free.
"It was then we learned that actions would likely not be taken, and that the night of the assault, the assailant was driven a few blocks down and then released," said Douglas.
"The officer explained that it had been a busy night for them, and even though we had not done a thing wrong, and even though we had been wronged, the assailant would likely not be pursued for this."
Douglas said the police response caused her to feel victimized all over again.
"As a child I was informed that no matter what, the police would help and do the right thing. I felt more violated by the Prince George police department than the assailant, who had caused me a mild panic attack and several nights of bad dreams," she said.
Douglas and her partner lodged an official complaint then braced themselves for backlash from the RCMP. It was they got a new shock: the RCMP's support.
"We should have done a better job of attending to these people, and we are going to make sure it happens now," said Prince George RCMP Staff Sgt. Brad Anderson.
"There is more followup we definitely have to do regarding their complaint. We did not do the job we should have and we have to make it right, that is the bottom line."
Anderson said steps were being taken even before the couple came forward.
"We had identified through our supervisors that a better job was needed at that time," he said. "Professional guidance has already been given to those involved. It is an opportunity to take aside our members and coach them in how to do their business in accordance with the standards expected by the RCMP, and the objectives of the public.
"They deserve that - the couple in this matter and the public as a whole. Our members also deserve that help. I think everyone understands that mistakes will be made on the job, so what matters most of all is how you respond."
Douglas said she was pleasantly surprised by this reaction from senior police.
"I was surprised to hear them admit their mistake. Hearing that it wasn't right coming from their own mouths was very reassuring. It's always nice to hear someone admit to their own mistakes. What was more, they acknowledged that while my husband was not seriously hurt, our sense of security was. Their speedy apology rectified the situation for us completely."
Anderson encourages the public to file complaints in an effort to improve the way policing services are delivered.
"If you have a complaint about the police, please bring it forward," Anderson said. "There are times we can absolutely enhance our service to the public. We have not only a responsibility to do that, but avenues at our disposal especially there to turn those complaints into us doing a better job from then on, and that is what we are going to do."
As for the mugger, police know exactly who he is and the investigation has been re-ignited.
