A former Waterloo Regional Police constable who was charged with 12 offences under the Police Services Act – charges stayed when she resigned her position – may have been rehired by the organization in a different role.

Deborah Bourne resigned from Waterloo Regional Police earlier this month, after 25 years with the organization.

She had been on paid suspension since November 12, and was facing various Police Services Act charges including discreditable conduct, neglect of duty, deceit, insubordination and corrupt practice.

As she was no longer a police officer, those charges were stayed once she resigned – with no finding of guilt.

She was never charged with any criminal offences.

The Police Services Act charges can be reinstated if Bourne is hired to work as a police officer in the next five years.

That wouldn’t happen were she to be hired for a different job within the law enforcement system.

Several people have contacted CTV News alleging that, after quitting Waterloo Regional Police, Bourne was hired back as a special constable.

A special constable is a civilian position. They perform various duties including providing security at the courthouse in Kitchener.

Asked if Bourne had been rehired as a special constable, various representatives of Waterloo Regional Police declined to answer any questions or take part in an interview.

Instead, they issued a statement outlining the Police Services Act process Bourne went through prior to her resignation – and emphasizing that accusations against Bourne were only allegations, and “there was never a full hearing of evidence.”

Included in the statement is a quote from Chief Bryan Larkin, who said that every situation must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis – and in this case, medical evaluation figured prominently.

“Out of respect for the process and for our members, anything additional is between an employee and an employer and although we understand the interest in this, we appreciate and are grateful for the public’s trust in us to manage these issues accordingly,” he said.

The statement does not directly address whether Bourne is once again employed by Waterloo Regional Police.

It does say that “whether she is qualified to take on another position in the organization is a separate and private employment matter.”

Whatever decisions were made by Waterloo Regional Police regarding Bourne, they have the support of the union representing police employees.

When contacted by CTV News, the head of the Waterloo Regional Police Association said that the union had been involved in every step of the case.

“We support the decision and actions the Waterloo Regional Police Service have taken pertaining to Ms. Bourne in this matter,” Paul Perchaluk said in a statement.

While on paid suspension, Bourne received more than $260,000 in salary and nearly $70,000 worth of benefits.

Bourne, who declined an interview with CTV News for a previous story, did not respond to a request for an interview on Wednesday.