Doug Snelgrove, out of appeals for sexual assault conviction, no longer member of the RNC

Former Royal Newfoundland Constabulary constable Doug Snelgrove, convicted of sexually assaulting a woman he picked up in his patrol car, is no longer a member of the police force.

Const. James Cadigan, the RNC's media relations officer, confirmed Snelgrove's departure by email Monday morning. Cadigan did not elaborate on whether Snelgrove was fired or quit.

The RNC Act says internal disciplinary matters must stop while criminal proceedings are ongoing. The Supreme Court of Canada rejected Snelgrove's request for a retrial — and his last chance to appeal — in February, opening the door to those internal proceedings.

Snelgrove, then a 10-year veteran of the force, was arrested in 2015 and charged with sexually assaulting a woman he picked up in downtown St. John's while he was on duty. He maintained the sexual acts between them were consensual.

The case remained in the court system for nine years, with several appeals and trials. He maintained his position with the RNC throughout, though he was not paid during that time.

Snelgrove was convicted in 2021, after his third trial, and sentenced to four years in prison.

He has exhausted his appeal options.

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