Two RCMP cameras and flash drives containing sensitive information were returned to RCMP last week.
The cameras were found in trees in Grand Forks near a trailer home rented by Dion Nordick, a.k.a. Buck Addams, and contained multiple images of various investigations.
Staff Sgt. Dan Seibel, who is in charge of RCMP operations for NCOs (non-commissioned officers) for Kootenay Boundary in Nelson, met with Nordick’s lawyer Jesse Gelber who returned the cameras on Nov. 22.
“We gave them back their cameras and that was on recommendation from my lawyer,” said Nordick.
“Nobody wants those pictures floating around.”
RCMP are still determining why the pictures from previous investigations were not completely deleted.
“We’re reviewing the events that led up to the loss of the cameras and the digital images that were stored in them,” stated Seibel.
“Our concern, now that we have regained custody of those images, is to ensure any possible privacy breaches involving personal information to any identifiable third party is not continued.”
Nordick mentioned that someone had stopped him on the street to inform him that his case was discussed in high school law classes.
“(That person) told me that they have to use a clean memory card each time,” explained Nordick. “Which is interesting because they have changed their procedure and that’s almost as good as an apology.”
Seibel clarified that the directive would eliminate any future similar breaches or losses of sensitive information.
“What we’re doing is only new memory cards are being installed in instances surveillance equipment is being installed in locations where there is an opportunity when someone other than an RCMP officer could come in possession of those cameras,” said Seibel.
“We’re reviewing this and moving forward. We don’t want a similar occurrence to happen again.”
Nordick is currently pursuing a civil case seeking compensation for the amount of work he lost during this situation.
When RCMP first raided his home under a search warrant to investigate a marijuana grow-op, they also confiscated Nordick’s art supplies which he used to make signs for customers in Grand Forks.
“We gave back their stuff but that’s not why we’re pursuing a civil matter,” stated Nordick.
“It’s not about what they messed up with, but what they were doing to me.”
The cameras were first spotted and removed in June 2011.
After removing the cameras, Nordick checked the flash drives and noted pictures from other investigations of domestic abuse and dead bodies. However, Nordick mentioned that a positive outcome to this stressful media event is that his artwork is selling.
“I’m just glad that most of the people have been giving me positive responses and that there’s a lot of support behind me.”
Investigations against Nordick regarding the marijuana grow-op and damage to property by way of graffiti are closed and no charges were laid.