VANCOUVER - Another female RCMP officer is accusing the force of harassment for her treatment while she worked with a drugs and organized crime unit in British Columbia.
Cpl. Elisabeth Mary Couture filed a lawsuit last week saying she was forced to work in an "atmosphere of fear and control" while she was with the unit between June 16, 2009 and Sept. 15, 2010.
Couture says in the suit she was told not to gossip or chit chat with other members, subjected to eavesdropping, instructed not to extend morning greetings to coworkers and even chastised and embarrassed in front of coworkers for talking.
She says in the court documents she began to experience daily symptoms of anxiety and panic and went off duty sick.
She has filed the lawsuit against the province's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Attorney General of Canada, and three members of the RCMP's E Division.
The RCMP and the provincial government have declined to comment on the suit, which was filed about one month after another female Mountie went public with complaints of sexual harassment by police supervisors.
