RCMP officer receives conditional discharge after pleading guilty to assaulting two teen boys

Const. Bridget Morla of the RCMP received a conditional discharge on Friday after pleading guilty to common assault against two teenage boys on Dec. 3, 2022, in an Airdrie hotel room.

The incident occurred during a youth hockey tournament when Morla, who was off duty, was drinking with players, parents and other chaperones. She touched a 16-year-old boy on his shoulders and thighs, and accidentally touched his groin area; the boy immediately expressed surprise and discomfort. She also tickled a 17-year-old and placed her fingers inside the waistband of his pants. Both complainants expressed relief at not having to testify and told the court they hold no ill will toward Morla.

Court of King's Bench Justice Nick Devlin imposed the conditional discharge, which means Morla is found guilty but carries no criminal conviction if she meets the conditions: 18 months probation, 50 hours community service, and attendance at counselling. Devlin described the incident as "a bizarre one-off that is really out of character."

The Crown and defence both proposed the discharge, citing Morla's "significant collateral consequences, both personally and professionally," and the media attention she has faced. Morla read a prepared statement in court: "I take full responsibility. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the harm I caused … the changes I need to make."

Morla remains suspended without pay by the RCMP pending an internal conduct hearing. In June 2024, two Edmonton police officers—Marc Chmilar and Steven Minarchi—were found guilty of assaulting a man named Mosquera and received conditional and absolute discharges respectively.