Langley鈥檚 top cop has been reassigned amid alleged concerns about the City mayor鈥檚 Winter Wonderland Gala and RCMP overtime.

The was organized by Mayor Val van den Broek, in partnership with the local RCMP, and resulted in a $56,000 donation to the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Soon after the Jan. 25 gala, van den Broek defended her fundraising event after City Councillor Teri James asked for an accounting of the event and RCMP costs. The mayor also received criticism for using the City logo without authorization under the municipality鈥檚 branding policy.

Now the head of the Langley RCMP detachment, who also attended the gala, has been reassigned 鈥渢emporarily鈥�, the RCMP鈥檚 E-Division headquarters confirms. Supt. Murray Power is still listed on the as officer in charge.

The RCMP would not comment on Power鈥檚 reassignment specifically, citing privacy issues, but spokesperson Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoilet could speak to policy.

鈥淲hile we respect your request is very specific, we are not in a position to provide anything as we have to respect the Privacy Act and fairness in process,鈥� said the senior media relations officer for E Division 鈥� which oversees the region, including the Langley detachment. 鈥淭his applies to all employees in the RCMP.鈥�

It鈥檚 not against policy for members to attend community events such as the mayor鈥檚 gala if it鈥檚 part of their work, such as patrolling a fair or being part of a protection detail for a dignitary.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e on duty, there may be community events that are attended on duty,鈥� Shoihet added.

She also noted that officers can sign up for overtime opportunities, but can鈥檛 be compelled to do overtime.

鈥淥vertime can never be mandated,鈥� she said.

Back in February, the Langley Advance Times submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the local RCMP regarding the costs associated with the mayor鈥檚 gala, after hearing rumours that local officers were offered overtime hours if they attended the fundraising event.

The newspaper did not receive the requested information, initially being told the officer responsible was away on leave. Upon following up on Aug. 31, the Advance Times was told its request had been misdirected to Langley鈥檚 Professional Standards Unit. Instead, the news outlet was redirected by RCMP E-Division to submit an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) 鈥� not an FOI 鈥� online at the federal level. That has since been done.

Van den Broek told the Langley Advance Times Friday that she would respond via statement, which she sent Friday, but would not take media questions.

鈥淚 will not comment on allegations relating to the participation of RCMP members,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose are the subject of a separate, independent investigation, and it would be wrong for me to comment while that investigation is ongoing.鈥�

She, herself, is a federal employee on unpaid leave while being mayor. She worked in the community policing office in Langley City prior to being elected mayor.

She said she issued the statement to clarify some points, including a question about the gala being a private function.

鈥淭he gala has also been described as a private event,鈥� van den Broek said.

鈥淭hat is not an accurate characterization. The event was open to the public,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he gala was advertised to the public, and any member of the public was free to purchase a ticket and attend. Tickets were sold through Eventbrite, an established distributor for concerts and other public events. More importantly, the purpose of the event was entirely charitable. The gala was not organized for anyone鈥檚 private gain 鈥� not mine or anyone else鈥檚.鈥�

At a council meeting after the gala, when Coun. James raised concerns, the mayor voted in favour of James鈥� motion to have staff report on costs and the logo use issue.

At a luncheon where the funds were presented to the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation, the mayor commented on the controversies generated. Van den Broek once again insisted no staff resources were used to help stage the event.

鈥淓very aspect of this gala was done by donations, sponsorship, and volunteers with no cost to the City and all proceeds going to our hospital,鈥� van den Broek said at the luncheon.

Her Friday statement said that when the concerns about the use of the logo were brought up, the organizers stopped using it.

鈥淎part from the unfortunate public controversy which the gala has generated, it was rewarding for me to help raise money for such a deserving cause,鈥� the mayor said. 鈥淚 would like to continue my efforts for these types of causes, and I am hopeful that other members of council will be able to support similar events in the coming years.鈥�

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