Police protected probation officer accused of sexual abuse, inquiry hears 

Last Updated: Friday, November 30, 2007 | 11:32 AM ET

CBC News

 Peter Sirrs says that while investigating a complaint against probation officer Nelson Barque in 1982, he was surprised to learn that police had already interviewed Barque about similar allegations. (Mark Blackburn/CBC)  

Cornwall Police had heard of sexual abuse allegations against a former probation officer, but did not tell the city's probation office, an ex-manager at the office alleged.

"It was my sense that they regarded probation officers to some degree as colleagues, and in the same way that police have often overlooked behaviour on the part of their colleagues," Peter Sirrs testified Wednesday at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.

The provincial inquiry is examining how authorities responded to allegations that children had been sexually abused in the eastern Ontario community over decades; it is now hearing from public institutions.

Sirrs said he launched an investigation in 1982 after he heard a complaint against one of his employees, probation officer Nelson Barque.

Sirrs, who was new to his first post as a manager, said he went to Cornwall Police and was surprised to learn they had also heard complaints and had interviewed Barque, but had not informed the probation office.

Over the course of Sirrs's investigation, he learned Barque was supplying alcohol to at least two of his charges and was sexually active with them.

He wrote a report recommending that for the good of the Ministry of Corrections, Barque should be allowed to resign.

"This would appear to have been the most expeditious route to follow," he said.

When asked if anyone at the ministry reviewed Barque's caseload or talked to other offenders, Sirrs said no one had.

Barque did resign and went on to employment as a social worker in Cornwall.

He was finally charged with sexual abuse in 1995, and after pleading guilty, was sentenced to four months in jail and 18 months of probation.