Transit Police in Metro Vancouver confirm that an officer left an explosive device on an Air Canada plane in 2011 during a training exercise and that it was never found again.
It took two days for someone to realize the device was missing after the dog-training exercise, according to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation (CTF).
"Why on earth were Transit Police — responsible for SkyTrain lines — planting explosives on a commercial airplane as a dog-training exercise?" asked Jordan Bateman, CTF B.C. director, in a Monday news release.
Transit Police spokeswoman Anne Drennan said the officer left a "small sample" of explosive substance Semtex, which has been a "favoured weapon" for terrorists, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
The officer "didn't follow protocol," she told the Huffington Post B.C.
"Once he advised Transit Police, an investigation was initiated, the plane was searched numerous times with negative results," Drennan said.
One of the plane's cleaners said he spotted a "small vial" on one of the seats but left it for colleagues who were collecting garbage to pick it up, Drennan added.
Transit Police searched all the garbage they could locate and burned it "without further problems," but the device itself was never located.
Drennan noted that the substance was "inert," and that it "would have required other items before it could be used as an explosive." She said that lighting it on fire or hitting it with a hammer would not have made it explode.
LOL Cops
Chief Shoots Wife(01 of10)
Open Image ModalFILE - In this undated file photo released by the Peachtree City Police Department, Chief William McCollom poses for a photograph. The Georgia police chief who said he accidentally shot his ex-wife while they slept was indicted Wednesday, April 15, 2015, on a misdemeanor reckless-conduct charge, a prosecutor said. (Peachtree City Police Department via AP, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Thomas Foye(02 of10)
Open Image ModalLudlow Massachusetts Police Officer Thomas Foye was arrested on August 15, 2013, for allegedly stealing a substance from a police evidence locker that field tested positive for cocaine. Foye, 49, was booked on charges of theft of drugs from a depository and possession of a class B substance.At his arraignment Thursday, Foye entered a not guilty plea before Palmer District Court Judge Patricia T. Poehler. Foye was released without bail, under the conditions that he undergo a substance abuse evaluation and submit to random drug screensA pretrial conference in the case has been scheduled for October 1, 2013. (credit:wggb.com)
Jim Deeghan(03 of10)
Open Image ModalJim Deeghan, a former sergeant with the Vermont State Police, is arraigned in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington Vt. on Friday, July 13, 2012. Deeghan of Colchester pleaded not guilty on Friday to two counts of false swearing. Prosecutor T.J. Donovan called it a "crime of opportunity," saying Deeghan reported responding to two car crashes and a false alarm but none of the incidents happened. Last year, Deeghan was paid about $136,000, about $56,000 more than his base pay, although a trooper can typically expect to make about $30,000 in overtime a year. (AP Photo/The Burlington Free Press, Glenn Russell, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Open Image ModalDion Anthony, Memphis cop, was allegedly caught getting it on in Memphis in March 2012...over the police radio.
(09 of10)
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