RICHMOND, B.C. — A Coquitlam RCMP officer facing potential dismissal has expressed regret over inappropriate messages he sent in group chats. Constable Philip Dick made these remarks during a code-of-conduct hearing this week, which was postponed from March.

Dick stated he feels "ashamed" of some of the messages he authored, which have been described as racist, sexist, and derogatory. He explained that he often used dark humor to alleviate job-related stress but acknowledged that he crossed a line into vulgarity that went "much too far."

The messages in question reportedly included derogatory comments about a Mexican sexual assault victim and other racially insensitive remarks. Dick reflected on these messages, saying they were difficult to reconcile with his character. He noted, "It’s hard to recognize them as something I’d ever say," but he has spent years contemplating his actions and feeling disappointed in himself.

The hearing is a result of a complaint filed by Constable Sam Sodhi in 2021. Sodhi alleged that Dick, along with Constables Ian Solven and Mersad Mesbah, engaged in discreditable conduct by making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in a Signal group chat and on police data terminals.

While Dick denied many of Sodhi's allegations, he admitted to handling stress and negative emotions in an immature and "stupid way." The outcome of the hearing could lead to significant disciplinary action against the officers involved.