“Colonel James Smith has been charged with one count under Section 129 of the National Defence Act—Neglect to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline. The charge relates to an investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service into the receipt of compensation and benefits,” said the statement from Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command.
“Today, after carefully considering all relevant factors and ensuring procedural fairness, I have made the decision to temporarily remove Colonel Smith from his position as Commander Task Force Latvia. This is a decision made to ensure continuity of leadership and the effective conduct of operations while the charge against Colonel Smith proceeds through the military justice system,” said Boivin.
Lieutenant-Colonel Joel Maley will assume interim command of Task Force Latvia and Colonel Smith will be assigned other duties in Canada until the matter is concluded.
An investigation concerning Smith reportedly began in May of last year.
“The Canadian Armed Forces have informed us that Colonel Smith has been suspended from duty pending an investigation and clarification of the circumstances. However, as this investigation is being led by the Canadian Armed Forces, we will not be able to provide any further comments on the nature of the investigation,” said Guna Gavrilko, Director of the Military Public Relations Department of the Latvian Ministry of Defence.
The Latvian Ministry of Defence also confirmed that the Latvian Armed Forces are not involved in the investigation.
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