DELTA - A decorated Delta police officer has been fired for deceit and neglect of duty following a 26-month investigation.
Constable Felipe Gomes, 33, had been a member of the Delta Police Force since 2004 and worked on general duty patrol, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and on the Gang Task Force. In 2008 he was awarded the Provincial Police Meritorious Service Medal by the Lieutenant Governor of B.C., the province's second highest honour for a police officer. He is married and has infant children.
Gomes admitted to five allegations at a disciplinary hearing: Four counts involved deceit by making false notes related to police files, and making false statements to professional standards investigators. A fifth misconduct count involved Gomes neglecting his duty to keep accurate record in his police notebook and neglecting to maintain his notebook "in a manner that conformed to policy and training."
Former Delta police chief Jim Cessford's decision to dismiss Gomes was confirmed by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, leaving Gomes with no more avenues of appeal. Cessford recently retired.
Delta's new police chief, Neil Dubord, said the force respects the final decision.
"It is of utmost importance to the Delta Police department that we all adhere to our core values of honour, integrity, courage and trust," Dubord said. "When the personal values of one do not align with the core values upheld by the men and women of the Delta Police department, appropriate action must be taken."
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com