Kamloops RCMP issues public notification as sex offender set to be released under house arrest

CBC

3 hours ago

Social Sharing
RCMP in Kamloops, B.C., have released a public notification as a man with a history of sexual offences against children is set to be released on probation.
Taylor Dueck pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a person under 16 years of age at an equestrian facility in Kelowna, B.C., on Feb. 9, 2024.
Now, he is set to be released into house arrest in Kamloops, and RCMP are warning that the "dangerous sex offender" represents a serious risk to children under 16.
Following a prison sentence for the Kelowna assault, Dueck was ordered to be under 24/7 house arrest as part of a three-year probation period, and he will be on the sex offenders' registry for life.
Police say that he is forbidden from being in any public areas — including parks, swimming pools, community centres and playgrounds — where kids under 16 are reasonably expected to be present.
He is also barred from contacting, or being in the presence of, anyone under 16 years old.
"Taylor Dueck will be subject to monitoring in order to ensure compliance with his conditions," reads an RCMP statement.
"Anyone who sees or knows of Taylor Dueck violating any of these conditions is asked to call 911 immediately."
CBC News has reached out to RCMP to find out when exactly Dueck will be released into house arrest.
Furor over lack of previous notification
Parole board documents show Dueck has a history of sexual offences against children, and other police forces have released public notifications over his risk of reoffending.
Following the sexual assault at the Kelowna equestrian facility last year, there was uproar from politicians in B.C.'s governing and opposition parties over why Kelowna RCMP did not issue a public notification that a high-risk sex offender was living in the area.
WATCH | Uproar over lack of public notification:
MLA demands accountability after sex offender released into Kelowna without warning
1 year ago
Duration 5:02
Renee Merrifield, B.C. United MLA for Kelowna-Mission, said news that a repeat sex offender was released with no public warning and then arrested in Kelowna has traumatized the community. Taylor Dueck was arrested on Feb. 9 on allegations he sexually assaulted a youth at an equestrian school in Kelowna. The details shared by Merrifield have not been proven in court or confirmed by RCMP.
Following the assault, then-public safety minister Mike Farnworth ordered an investigation into why the public wasn't notified.
In a written statement, the Kelowna RCMP said at the time that it sought a public disclosure order prior to Dueck's release, but "the threshold was not met in this case based on the totality of the circumstances."
In a statement issued this January, Public Safety Minister Garry Begg said the Investigation and Standards Office (ISO) found no evidence of systemic issues with B.C. Corrections and policing procedures, but the policy "had not been properly adhered to" in Dueck's case.
The ISO is an independent body established by the Corrections Act that provides oversight to B.C. Corrections.
The province did not make Begg available for an interview at the time, and, citing privacy concerns, did not clarify what policy was not followed.
Recommendations from the ISO investigation include establishing a template for public notifications for police agencies to follow, exploring the feasibility of a public website for such notifications and strengthening language in training materials around the importance of seeking clarity on court-ordered decisions.
The ministry said a working group is being established with the goal of having the recommendations fulfilled within the next six months.