Former Nanaimo Mountie sentenced for using police status for sexual gain

Hilland’s positive past conduct and post-offence behaviour were referenced by the judge, who stated he didn’t view specific deterrence as an applicable objective in this case.

“…the consequences he has already suffered, the humiliation and his rehabilitative steps satisfy me that Mr. Hilland’s compulsive conduct was out of character,” judge Reginald stated toward the conclusion of his nearly 40-minute decision.

Hilland must now abide by numerous conditions over the next year-and-a-half, including a no-contact order with the offender and a community work service order.

He’s been directed to write a letter of apology to the unidentified victim.

The judge told court Hilland a message must be sent to the policing community that the justice system will respond and treat breaches seriously.

Case background

An agreed statement of facts outlined last month at Nanaimo Law Courts revealed Hilland, a 15-year RCMP veteran, developed a platonic relationship with a 50-year-old Indigenous woman during his duties as an officer.

After encountering Hilland multiple times during the course of a year while on duty, Hilland was working in full uniform on the evening of July 2, 2024, in his RCMP cruiser in the parking lot of Nanaimo’s John Barsby Secondary School.

Hilland and the complainant briefly spoke, then he left for a call for service.

A short time later, the victim had a negative interaction with an unknown male who had propositioned her, triggering traumatic memories from her past involvement in the sex trade.

Cst. Hilland returned to the school parking lot later that evening and approached the distraught woman.

She disclosed she “was having a bad night”, saying someone had been rude to her and her cat was missing. The two spoke for some time outside his vehicle before the complainant initiated “flirtatious behaviour” with Hilland.

She gave Hilland her phone number, address, and door code, inviting him to come over after his shift.

Following his shift, Cst. Hilland attended the apartment and was invited into the complainant’s bedroom, where she was undressed, lying on her bed.

The pair then engaged in consensual sexual activity.

After stating he would call the complainant the next week, Hilland failed to do so, court was told.

Not long after, Cst. Hilland was patrolling the John Barsby school area and saw the complainant again, informing her that he made a mistake and that he wouldn’t contact her again.

The angered complainant reported the sexual encounter to Nanaimo RCMP a week later.

She told officers at the detachment while the sexual act was consensual and Hilland was nice to her overall in the months previous, she was upset that the officer had a family.

Crown lawyer Andrew McLean said the complainant’s status as a vulnerable individual should have been evident to Hilland.

“(the victim’s) previous history in the sex trade and her communication to Mr. Hilland that she was having a bad day and was distressed indicated that she was a vulnerable person,” McLean told court last month.

McLean unsuccessfully pushed for a suspended sentence followed by two years’ probation and a “substantial” community work service order.

A suspended sentence would have ensured a criminal record for Hilland.

“This offence, breach of trust, has the potential to shake the public confidence in core institutions, in this case, police,” McLean stated.

Defence attorney Brad Kielmann pushed for a conditional discharge.

Kielmann told sentencing arguments that Hilland is a married father of two who struggled to deal with unaddressed mental health issues.

After joining the RCMP in Fort St. James in 2012, Hilland transferred to the Gabriola Island detachment in 2016, then eventually was shifted to Nanaimo in August 2019.

Kielmann said Hilland began to notice during his service in Nanaimo that he was struggling with his mental health, was having mood changes and difficulty sleeping.

“He had a false belief that seeking professional help would undermine that reputation,” Kielmann said.

Following his breach of trust incident, Hilland sought extensive and ongoing assistance from a psychologist and was diagnosed with PTSD and depression.

A psychologist noted impulsive behaviour is consistent with those with PTSD.

Several glowing character reference letters for Hilland were provided to the court.

Hilland had been off work since July 2024, and voluntarily quit the RCMP the day following his sentencing hearing.

He was formally charged in May of last year.

He made a prior tearful apology to court, stating he failed to maintain the high standard of conduct police officers are held to.

“I see now the emotional damage I have caused (victim), my family, friends, and colleagues, and I understand how my actions have contributed to a loss of public faith in the RCMP and police in general.”

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by Ian Holmes

Former Nanaimo Mountie sentenced for using police status for sexual gain

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