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A veteran RCMP officer has returned his iconic red serge after he was filmed smoking medical marijuana in what he said was a bid to raise awareness about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

National Post photographs captured the moment officers went to Cpl. Ron Francis’s New Brunswick home on the Kingsclear First Nation reserve on Thursday to strip him of his uniform. Cpl. Francis is still a police officer, but he had to surrender his red serge at noon on Friday.

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Cpl. Francis arrived today at the RCMP headquarters in Fredericton after he said he was ordered to return the dress uniform.

Cpl. Francis, who was accompanied by a Maliseet elder, wept as he delivered the red serge.

But he did not return a 20-year exemplary service medal he received, saying that was an honour he earned that cannot be taken away from him.

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay had condemned Cpl. Francis, saying the display “sets a poor example for Canadians.”