An RCMP officer involved in the initial investigation of Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said there were many inconsistencies in McCallum’s complaint about an altercation in the Southpoint Save-On-Foods parking lot.
Sgt. Andre Johnny testified by video in Surrey Provincial Court Tuesday that he reviewed the surveillance video obtained from the Southpoint Save-On-Foods store and the statements given to police by McCallum and Debi Johnstone, the Keep the RCMP in Surrey activist that McCallum accused of running over his foot.
Johnny said he also reviewed photos of Johnstone’s vehicle taken by McCallum, McCallum’s medical records and a photo of McCallum’s left foot.
“My conclusion was that we could not determine whether or not his foot was run over by Debra Johnstone,” Johnny told Judge Reginald Harris.
However, video evidence disproved McCallum’s claim that he had been pinned against a vehicle.
“The video review indicates that McCallum walked away from his vehicle and approached the crosswalk at Save-On-Foods, at which point Ms. Johnstone believed to have called out to Mr. McCallum, and then he turned around and approached Ms. Johnstone’s vehicle,” Johnny said.
“He stated that the vehicle at that point was pressed up against him, however video review indicates that Ms. Johnstone did not drive her vehicle into McCallum. Video footage indicates that it was Mr. McCallum who approached the vehicle and therefore had control over how close the vehicle was in proximity to his body.”
Court exhibit, submitted to media
Under cross-examination, Johnny admitted to McCallum’s lawyer Richard Peck that the investigation team had considered, but rejected, various techniques, including surveillance of McCallum to test his claims of an injury and limp, and an undercover operation to gain access to his phone. Johnny could not answer all the questions about the investigation, because it was transferred from the Surrey RCMP detachment to major crimes in E Division. Johnstone had come to the mall to seek support for a petition aimed at reversing McCallum’s 2018 campaign promise to replace the RCMP with a municipal force.
“For the sake of fairness and whatnot,” Johnny said.
Peck said McCallum indicated that he had been harassed by Johnstone and wanted her investigated for that, in addition to the alleged hit and run. Johnny said McCallum arrived at the mall 45 minutes before Johnstone and he had no evidence of her targeting him.
The investigation, however, turned into one of public mischief targeting McCallum. McCallum was charged late last year with a single count.
McCallum, who lost the mayoralty to Brenda Locke in the Oct. 15 civic election, pleaded not guilty on Monday. The trial is expected to last another five days.
