SaskatoonLawyers for a former Saskatoon police officer say he should get his job back immediately because of a key memo not included in their disclosure before an appeal hearing.Issue turns on decision by former chief Troy CooperDan Zakreski · CBC News · Posted: Sep 18, 2025 2:55 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoFormer sergeant Robbie Taylor is appealing his dismissal from the Saskatoon Police Service. (Submitted by Robbie Taylor)The lawyers for fired Saskatoon cop Robbie Taylor are applying to have the former sergeant reinstated immediately with back pay.They made the application and argument on the fourth day of his appeal before independent hearing officer Ronni Nordal. Taylor was fired in March after police Chief Cameron McBride ruled that his ongoing friendship with a Hells Angels associate did not fit with his position as a police officer.Under cross-examination Wednesday, 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.However, 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.At the time, a report about the traffic stop incident made its way to then police chief Troy Cooper, who decided against further investigation or discipline.Lawyers Scott Hopley and Brian Pfefferle made the abuse of process application Thursday after learning from McBride on the stand that former chief Cooper had decided against referring the traffic stop call for a professional standards investigation.They said it’s suspicious that a memo about Cooper’s decision was not included in their disclosure. Hopley said it could have been used as a line of questioning with earlier expert witnesses.Police lawyer Ashley Smith said the defence is inflating the issue. She said the memo outlining an officer’s concerns about the traffic stop went to Cooper, who decided against the matter going any further.She said it wouldn’t be unusual for there not to be a memo directing a concern not be investigated.The hearing continues Thursday afternoon.ABOUT THE AUTHORDan Zakreski is a reporter for CBC Saskatoon.
Defence says missing memo should lead to reinstatement of fired Saskatoon cop
