SFU hires Kash Heed to teach criminal justice

Simon Fraser University is defending hiring former B.C. solicitor general, Kash Heed, to teach a criminology course. RCMP are currently investigating Heed for alleged campaign violations during the 2009 election.

Heed, who is also a former police chief, was hired by the university, on a sessional basis, to teach a course titled Introduction to the Criminal Justice System. A press release issued by the opposition New Democratic Party stated that "irony" is "alive and well" in the province. "This is the same Kash Heed whose campaign team is currently under investigation by the RCMP, whose campaign allegedly violated campaign spending limits and who has gone to court to try to avoid having to comply with Elections BC," the release read.

Rob Gordon, who heads SFU’s criminology department has pointed out that the investigation was made public a month after Heed’s hiring in November, and that given his practical experience, he is well suited to teach the course. So far no complaints have been reported. "It’s still business as usual as far as I’m concerned," he said.

Charges have yet to be laid against Heed in the case, but two members of his campaign have been formally charged. Heed has stepped down from cabinet pending the outcome of the investigation.