ST. JOHN'S — A woman from Labrador told a rare public hearing of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's Public Complaints Commission on Monday that efforts to obtain help after an alleged sexual assault and long-running harassment by a serving officer were repeatedly dismissed by those she turned to for protection.
Roxanne Greene travelled to St. John's to give emotional testimony at the hearing. Greene alleges her ex-husband, retired Sgt. Nick Rumbolt, broke into her home in 2009 and raped her, following a period of harassment she says often happened while he was in uniform and on duty.
"No," Greene replied when asked whether her fear ever went away. "It's burned into my head."
The complaint, which was first filed in 2019, spans alleged breaches of RNC regulations from 2009 to 2019. Allegations before the commission include conduct unbecoming of a police officer, failing to follow proper procedures, discourtesy to a member of the public and using his position to obtain advantage.
An uphill battle to be heard
Greene told the commission she first attempted to report matters in 2009 but could not find an officer willing to listen. She recounted being pulled over on April 4, 2009, on her way back from picking up food — an episode she described in detail during testimony.
The hearing unfolded with the announcement that Rumbolt, who has since retired from the RNC, would not be taking part. His lawyer, John Drover, attended merely to ensure procedural fairness. Drover told the commission his client has consistently characterised the matters as a "longstanding marital dispute" and declined to participate in the hearing.
Commission counsel James Strickland questioned Greene about the lasting effects of the alleged abuse and harassment. Greene's testimony painted a picture of persistent fear and distress, emotions she said had not abated in the years since the incidents.
What the commission is examining
The public complaints process allows citizens to bring allegations of misconduct against members of the RNC before an independent panel. While the commission retains jurisdiction over complaints involving retired officers, it has no authority to discipline someone who is no longer a member of the force.
The scope of the alleged breaches and their timeframe were laid out to the panel. The commission will consider whether RNC policies and procedures were followed in the handling of the original complaints and whether the alleged conduct met the thresholds of the regulations cited.
| Allegation | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Conduct unbecoming of a police officer | 2009–2019 |
| Failure to follow proper procedures | 2009–2019 |
| Being discourteous to a member of the public | 2009–2019 |
| Using position as a police officer to gain advantage | 2009–2019 |
Because Rumbolt is retired, any findings by the commission cannot lead to internal discipline. Instead, the commission's role is to assess the evidence, make findings on whether policy was breached and potentially recommend changes to policy or procedure.
Wider implications for policing and survivors
The case underlines a recurring concern for survivors of intimate partner violence who seek help from police: that reports may not be believed or will be handled inadequately, particularly when the subject of the complaint is a serving officer. Greene's experience — saying she could not find an officer willing to listen in 2009 — echoes similar accounts from other jurisdictions where complainants report institutional obstacles to being heard.
Representatives of the commission will consider not only the specifics of Greene's allegations but also how the RNC responded at the time and in the years that followed. Those findings could influence future recommendations aimed at improving how police handle complaints that involve their own members.
Monday's hearing was a rare public airing of such complaints in St. John's. Public hearings are infrequent, in part because many complaints are resolved through internal processes or are dismissed before reaching a public stage.
Greene's testimony is likely to be one of the most closely watched portions of the proceedings. The commission will continue to hear evidence and consider submissions as it moves toward its determinations.
- Complaint filed: 2019
- Alleged incidents: 2009–2019
- Respondent: Retired Sgt. Nick Rumbolt (declined to participate)
The commission did not set a timeline for the release of any findings. The proceedings remain administrative and fact-finding in nature, not criminal adjudication.
This account is based on testimony and statements presented at the RNCPCC hearing on Monday in St. John's.
