SaskatoonSaskatoon Police Service Chief Cam McBride testified at the independent hearing for Sgt. Robbie Taylor, who McBride fired in March for Taylor’s friendship with a known Hells Angels associate.Fired officer’s last-minute legal application alleges abuse of process for non-disclosureJeremy Warren · CBC News · Posted: Sep 18, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoSaskatoon Police Chief Cam McBride, shown in a file photo, testified Wednesday at an independent hearing into his decision to fire an officer. (Dan Zakreski/CBC)Police Chief Cam McBride says even if the relationship between one of his officers and a Hells Angels associate did not compromise police operations, it had the potential to compromise public perception of the Saskatoon Police Service.McBride fired former Saskatoon police Sgt. Robbie Taylor in March for his relationship with a man who is a close associate of Hells Angels members. Taylor is appealing his dismissal at an independent hearing underway this week in Saskatoon.On Wednesday, McBride was called as a witness on Day 3 of the hearing. Police service lawyer Ashley Smith asked him why he was concerned about Taylor’s relationship with an associate of an outlaw biker gang.”It placed our organization at risk of being perceived as corrupt,” McBride said. “It is important for me to be able to stand in front of the public and be able to say we are above reproach.”A publication ban is in place protecting the identity of Taylor’s friend and other members of the public. The ban does not include witnesses called by either side or current and former police service employees.Under cross examination, McBride said there is no evidence — circumstantial or otherwise — that Taylor inappropriately accessed Saskatoon Police Service databases or leaked private information. He also said he’s not aware of evidence implicating the associate in any crimes.Previous witnesses testified that Taylor did not hide the friendship, went on a holiday to Ireland with the associate and had accepted an expensive watch as a gift.A former Saskatoon police officer’s friendship with a Hells Angels associate led to him being fired from the police service. (Dan Zakreski/CBC)McBride testified that Taylor also wrote a character reference letter for the associate when he applied for a pardon for a drug trafficking conviction. But that wasn’t McBride’s biggest concern.In 2023, Taylor tried to intervene when another officer was giving the associate a ticket after a traffic stop.”It was very clear in the investigation that Mr. Taylor had offered special treatment to [his associate],” McBride said.A report about the traffic stop incident made its way to then police chief Troy Cooper, who decided against further investigation or discipline.Taylor’s lawyer Brian Pfefferle described his client as a good police officer who isn’t quick to judge a person “exclusively based on one characteristic” or their past.”How are we supposed to, as a community, make sure that our most vulnerable members are supported if officers are being told that you can’t associate with this person or that person because of their criminal history?” Pfefferle told reporters after Wednesday’s hearing.”The individual that he was connected to is not a drug trafficker. He’s a human being who faced charges and took responsibility for his drug trafficking offences 202 months ago.”Abuse of process allegedThe day ended with a last-minute application from Taylor’s legal team. Hearing mediator Ronnie Nordal asked for a summary of the application before adjourning to hear arguments Thursday morning.Taylor’s lawyers allege an abuse of process for material non-disclosure because Wednesday was the first time Taylor heard that former police chief Cooper had received the report about the traffic stop incident and decided against disciplining Taylor.”Not only was Sgt. Taylor not aware that the investigation had been sent [to the former chief of police], he was not aware that the chief of police had reviewed it,” Pfefferle told reporters after Wednesday’s hearing.”They’re essentially saying this relationship is inappropriate in and of itself, and it’s been inappropriate for a long time. And by the way, the former chief didn’t think it was inappropriate, but we still fired you. And it’s deeply troubling.”The hearing resumes Thursday morning with the application arguments. Taylor is expected to testify.ABOUT THE AUTHORJeremy Warren is a reporter in Saskatoon. You can reach him at jeremy.warren@cbc.ca.
Saskatoon police chief testifies at appeal hearing of fired officer linked to Hells Angels associate
