A female undercover police officer who infiltrated the 2022 border blockade in Coutts, Alberta, told a court her job was to monitor and intercept, but seduction was not a tool of her trade.
“You don't reveal your sexuality or allow anyone to reveal their sexuality during an investigation. That's not an issue,” the officer testified Tuesday in response to questions from prosecutors.
“We shut it down immediately.
“We often cover it up with stories about (our boyfriends) or homosexuality so it never enters our thinking.”
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Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert are charged with conspiring to murder police officers at a lockdown to protest COVID-19 rules that paralyzed traffic along the Canada-U.S. border in southern Alberta for two weeks.
The officer, whose identity cannot be revealed and whose codename is HQ1298, was moved to another room but allowed to listen.
The officer said at trial that she had worked secretly for two decades in programs across the country, but primarily in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
She said she received training on domestic terrorism and criminal techniques, as well as how to memorize quotes, faces and descriptions.
“You get it in your head. You practice it over and over again so you don't forget it and you can practice it over and over again. A lot of times I practice it,” she said.
Olynyk and Cabot were arrested after RCMP found guns, body armor and ammunition in a trailer in the area.
They were also charged with mischief and possession of a dangerous weapon. Olynyk also faces a charge of possessing a pipe bomb.
It was the second day of evidence before the jury. After opening arguments on Thursday, the trial became mired in legal wrangling that could not be immediately reported because of a publishing ban.
“Don't speculate on the reasons for the delay,” Judge David Labrentz told the jury. “There are good reasons for it.”
© 2024 The Canadian Press
