WARNING: This content includes accusations of sexual misconduct.
Roxanne Greene made a journey from Labrador to attend a rare hearing of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission (RNCPCC) in St. John’s on Monday.
Her former spouse, retired Sgt. Nick Rumbolt, chose not to engage in the proceedings.
Throughout the day, Greene emotionally testified, alleging that Rumbolt forcibly entered her residence one night in 2009 and sexually assaulted her. She claimed the assault occurred after a period of intense harassment, often while her ex-husband was on duty and in uniform.
“You mentioned being fearful of him,” RNCPCC attorney James Strickland remarked. “Did that fear ever dissipate?”
“No,” Greene replied. “It’s etched in my mind.”
The hearing commenced on Monday morning with the announcement that Rumbolt had retired from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and would not be participating.
Rumbolt was represented by lawyer John Drover, present solely to ensure adherence to proper procedures.
“Due to Mr. Rumbolt’s retirement, while the commission maintains authority over the complaint, it lacks jurisdiction over the officer,” Drover stated.
Rumbolt is accused of multiple violations of RNC regulations, including behaving in a manner unbecoming of a police officer, neglecting proper procedures, displaying discourtesy to a member of the public, and leveraging his position as a police officer for personal gain.
The alleged breaches are said to have occurred between 2009 and 2019.
“Mr. Rumbolt has consistently asserted that this was a long-standing marital dispute and has opted not to participate, leaving me without instructions,” Drover informed the hearing.
RNC Ignored Complaint, Greene Testifies
Greene recounted that on April 4, 2009, while returning from a restaurant in her car, Rumbolt pulled her over. This encounter marked the first time she saw him since the alleged assault. She mentioned that Rumbolt shouted at her and demanded an explanation for her actions.
Frustrated, Greene drove straight to the RNC station in Labrador City to file a complaint. She claimed that Rumbolt followed her to the station and warned her, saying, “You better think about what you’re doing.”
Despite her attempts to report the incident to officers at the station, Greene asserted that no one was willing to take down her complaint. She stated that she revisited the station two days later to meet with a sergeant.
“He covered his ears and said, ‘I don’t want to hear this, do I?’” Greene recalled.
She mentioned that the sergeant handed her a blank sheet of paper and instructed her to return if she wished to proceed. Greene penned down her complaint but refrained from mentioning the sexual assault as she doubted the officer’s seriousness based on his initial reaction.
Upon returning with her written complaint two days later, the same sergeant advised her to file it as an internal complaint for swift resolution, emphasizing the need to safeguard a man’s career.
Greene