Members of the Canadian army take position during the Crystal Arrow 2022 exercise in March, 2022, in Adazi, Latvia.Paulius Peleckis/Getty Images
Canada’s military brass have removed the commander of this country’s high-profile Latvian mission from his position more than two weeks after he was charged under the National Defence Act.
Colonel James Smith is being temporarily removed from his post as commander of Task Force Latvia and will be assigned other duties in Canada until the investigation is finished, Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command, said in a statement Tuesday.
About 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia were under Col. Smith’s command, according to the Department of National Defence.
The Canadian deployment to the Baltics is among this country’s most significant overseas commitments, and represents a contribution to NATO’s deterrence operation on the alliance’s eastern flank.
“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,” Lt.-Gen. Boivin said.
Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, an expert in military law, said it’s very unusual for a senior officer to be removed from command while on deployment.
He said it’s surprising the military would not let Col. Smith finish his tour for the sake of not only his professional reputation, but also the people under his command.
On March 23, Col. Smith was charged with one count of neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline under Section 129 of the National Defence Act.
The charge stems from a military police investigation into the receipt of compensation and benefits “afforded by the Canadian Armed Forces,” according to the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal. This office is the senior military police authority within the Forces.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Col. James Smith was removed from his position one week after he was charged. He was removed more than two weeks after. The story has also been updated to correct the date Col. Smith was charged.