Ex-cop charged with 1970s sex offences

Ex-cop charged with 1970s sex offences
Former Mountie, now bus supervisor, was then with Vancouver police

Lena Sin, The Province
Published: Thursday, October 18, 2007

Robert Gordon Bodkin, a former Mountie, Vancouver police officer and longtime Coast Mountain Bus transit supervisor is facing sex-crime charges dating back to the 1970s.

Bodkin (also known as Bob Bodkin), of Vancouver, was charged last Friday with two counts of gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault.

Vancouver police say the two complainants — one male and one female — were both under 15 at the time of the alleged offences.

The investigation began about two years ago when information was received by the Vancouver Police Department, spokesman Const. Tim Fanning said yesterday.

Sex-crime investigators have not ruled out the possibility of more victims and are asking for anyone with information to contact police.

The alleged offences relating to the male complainant occurred over the four-year period between Jan. 1, 1972, and Dec. 31, 1975.

Meanwhile, the allegations by the female complainant relate to a two-year period between Sept. 15, 1973, and Dec. 31, 1975.

Bodkin, 62, was a Mountie between 1964 and 1967, and then a Vancouver police officer between 1969 and 1976.

Although the charges stem from Bodkin’s time with the VPD, Fanning said police believe none of the alleged offences occurred while Bodkin was on duty.

After leaving the VPD, Bodkin became a bus driver with the Coast Mountain Bus Co. and was later promoted to transit supervisor.

Vancouver police would not comment on why Bodkin left the force in 1976 to become a bus driver.

“I can’t comment because it’s going to be before the court . . . That information is probably going to be coming out in the court case, but it’s not something we can give out right now,” said Fanning.

The 31-year transit employee was put on administrative leave with pay yesterday when Coast Mountain learned about the charges.

The company knew nothing about the police investigation and will be launching its own internal investigation, said spokesman Doug McDonald.

“We were completely unaware of this,” said McDonald.

“He was a reasonably well-liked employee. I don’t know the man that well, but I have met him. What can I say — he’s a regular guy.”

When reached by phone at his South Vancouver home, Bodkin refused to comment.

Bodkin will be prosecuted under the criminal statute that was in effect at the time of the alleged crimes.

He was released from custody last Friday on a $10,000 recognizance.

On Monday, Bodkin also surrendered his passport to the court registry as part of his bail conditions.

Other conditions require him to not be within one kilometre of any international border or airport.

He must not possess weapons or attend parks, schools, public swimming pools, community centres or any place where children under the age of 18 could be found.

Bodkin’s next court date is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m. at Vancouver Provincial Court.