May 22, 2015 – Vol. 20 No. 21 Critics call for ‘Rent a cop’ program changes

May 15 2015 PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - A cor- oner’s inquest into a deadly mill explosion in northern British Co- lumbia has suggested that the RCMP develop a policy for in- vestigating criminal negligence in the workplace as one of 33 recommendations aimed at pre- venting similar disasters.

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May 15 2015 TORONTO - Toronto police launched a pilot project to test body-worn cameras for its offic- ers on Friday, joining a grow- ing number of forces trying out the technology, which has been greeted with a mix of optimism and caution.

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May 19 2015 But no one seems to know just when the eager to cut back the funds doled out each year practice first started, or where - not even for paid duty supervision of municipal projects. KEMNAY, Man. - A man ac- Mukherjee also worries about what he cused of wounding an RCMP those who reap millions of dollars every year from so-called “paid duty,’’ a program that calls the “reputational’’ cost. officer in a shooting prior to a “When people talk about police offic- standoff in western Manitoba allows companies and individuals to hire off- duty officers for various events. ers these days, it is interesting how fre- has been charged with two quently they talk about the police officer counts of attempted murder. “When we tried to pin down where these requirements came from, nobody could tell who is standing guard over a sewage drain doing nothing, slouching, holding a cup of Page 7 us,’’ says Alok Mukherjee, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, which coffee,’’ he said. May 21 2015 oversees the force. Base salaries of police constables in Toronto range from $63,436 to $90,623, REGINA - After two months of un- From a thick binder labelled “Paid Duty,’’ he pulls a copy of a document from the force’s website shows. Meanwhile, successfully trying to meet with a paid-duty earnings amount to an average of group of concerned citizens, Re- 1957 - minutes from a police board meeting that references setting the rate for paid duty. $8,909 per officer, according to Ontario’s gina’s police chief felt the need to so-called sunshine list. write an open letter. As far back as the 1920s, Toronto’s then- police chief criticized paid duty, saying it Mukherjee wants to overhaul the pro- gram, including eliminating what he calls Page 9 would likely be rescinded. But today, the practice has become a “rent-a-cops,’’ where officers are hired for funding source for cash-strapped police forc- events that aren’t required by law to have es, and a lightning rod for criticism. a police presence, such as Maple Leafs and In cities that include Montreal, Waterloo, Blue Jays games. Ont., and Calgary, critics are raising concerns He also wants the city and the province that the system grants better protection to to change rules that mandate when an officer those with the means to pay for it, and ques- must be on scene, usually to guide traffic, on tioning whether officers can remain impartial larger roads that are under construction. towards those who offer lucrative contracts. “I’d rather see a combination of special In Toronto, where the program has been a constables, paid duty and private security,’’ political hot potato for decades, city officials are he said. In 2014, Toronto police officers made about the appearance of two-tier policing. more than $27 million for performing paid Guy Ryan, a former Montreal police duties, with the service raking in another $4 inspector, said he always had reservations THURSDAY million from a 15-per-cent “administration about the system, particularly with paid- MAY 14, 2015 fee’’ and another $1 million for equipment. duty assignments he considered too close More than 80 per cent of that cost is paid to security work. May 14 2015 for by private individuals or organizations, “I’d say: ‘Come on, there’s an ethical MONTREAL - A woman who posted which is why the head of the police union issue there for us as a public service,’ but a photo of graffiti depicting a senior said the debate is not about finances since it there were some who went around that be- Montreal police officer with a bullet in doesn’t affect the police budget. cause they said it was additional revenue,’’ his head has received a suspended “There’s no economic basis to attack he said. sentence. paid duties, so they’ve shifted to the reputa- The man overseeing Montreal’s paid Jennifer Pawluck was found guilty in tional impact, which, to me, holds no water at duty program - called “commercialization’’ - April of criminal harassment for snapping a all,’’ Mike McCormack said. said strict guidelines have been put in place photo of the street art and uploading it to In- “When we have officers who are down- in recent years to ensure the force’s integrity stagram in 2013. town or in the city to improve traffic flow, it isn’t compromised. The judge agreed with a joint suggestion actually increases our reputation.’’ Officers aren’t allowed to take on work that the 22-year-old Pawluck be given a sus- Mukherjee doesn’t think so. The police that amounts to acting as a security guard, or pended sentence, 18 months probation and board has the power to set guidelines on paid that could give the impression of a conflict 100 hours community service. duty, he said, but change will have to come of interest, said Didier Deramond, the force’s She is forbidden from using Instagram, from the incoming police chief, Mark Saunders. deputy chief. That includes watching over Facebook or Twitter for one year except to A recent report by the Association of bars or other businesses, he said. send private messages. Municipalities of Ontario recommended that Paid duty brought in roughly $4.4 mil- Pawluck is also prohibited from posting some of the specific functions of paid-duty lion last year, Deramond said. While it does anything about police or anyone associated officers should be transferred to civilians or count as revenue in the police budget, he said with the judicial system. other security providers. it isn’t a cash cow for the force. “We charge Montreal police Cmdr. Ian Lafreniere, a “This could include court security and them what it costs us - we’re not making any high-profile spokesman, told the court that prisoner transportation, data entry, accident gains with this,’’ he said. knowledge the graffiti was being shared reporting, burglary investigations (provid- A few years ago, ethical concerns shook him, scared his children and forced his ed the burglary is no longer in progress), prompted Waterloo’s then-police chief to wife to take a leave from work. and forensics, among other functions,’’ the step in after business owners in the city’s bar Pawluck had countered she posted the report states. area started hiring paid-duty police officers to image without knowing who Lafreniere was, In Montreal, the paid-duty system - estab- patrol on weekend nights. but the judge hearing the case cast doubt on lished in the mid-1990s - is seen by some as a Matt Torigian, now deputy minister of her version. way to bolster municipal coffers. At one point, Ontario’s Community Safety and Correction- She was charged under a summary of- there was a push to use the program to help al Services, told the Waterloo Record at the fence, meaning the maximum sentence was transform the force into a self-financing entity. time he believed policing should be shared six months in jail or a $5,000 fine. A report issued last year by Montreal’s equally instead of allowing one area to pay public safety commission urged the force to for “a higher level’’ of service. May 14 2015 look at ways to expand its paid-duty services In Calgary, police stopped offering paid- OTTAWA - A new, publicly accessible in order to generate more revenue. duty services to bars eight years ago after database looks at more than 50 years The current police chief, Marc Parent, community groups said they were worried of terrorist and extremist incidents made it clear when he took over five years the officers would act in favour of their pay- with a Canadian connection. ago that he planned to scale back the program ing clients rather than remain impartial in the The Canadian Incident Database is the after the city’s then-mayor raised concerns event of disputes. product of the Canadian Network for Re- There’s a different model in Vancouver. search on Terrorism, Security and Society, or Off-duty officers can still pick up paid shifts TSAS. to guard Vancouver Canucks hockey games The project began in December 2013, or other large events, but cops do not handle with money from Public Safety Canada and traffic at construction sites. Instead, civilians Defence Research and Development Canada. known as special constables are used to help It lists 1,815 such acts between 1960 and ISSN 1704-3913 guide traffic. 2014, with 410 of the incidents occurring Copyright 2015 The cost is significantly cheaper. abroad. Blue Line Magazine Inc. & The Canadian Press Permission to reprint may be obtained in advance from “It would be very rare to have a police It uses the Criminal Code definition of Access Copyright officer at a construction site - we have a terrorism to differentiate between terrorist Phone 1-800-893-5777 [email protected] traffic authority if we need someone other and extremist incidents. Published weekly by Blue Line Magazine, Inc. as an executive news briefing service to Canada’s top level law enforcement personnel. than the flag person,’’ said Vancouver police The 1,170 terrorist acts in Canada over Most information supplied in this publication is from newswire spokesman Const. Brian Montague. the 64-year period caused 450 deaths. services. As such Blue Line Magazine does not accept responsibility “Basically, this is an on-call position, on for the accuracy of articles as supplied. a part-time basis. These are teachers, veteri- May 14 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic database or transmitted in any form or by any narians, people who want to help out, but this CALGARY - Calgary police have means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without is not a full-time job.’’ the prior permission of the publishers. One Year Subscriptions are charged a man with hurling vulgari- $10500 (GST Included). Paid subscribers may make up to four (4) In 2011, Toronto’s auditor general rec- ties at a female journalist covering the copies of this publication for distribution within their organization. ommended the Vancouver model. bad behaviour of hockey fans. A year later, Toronto’s former chief, Bill The man, who has not been named, faces a GROUP PUBLISHER: Morley S. Lymburner Blair, reported back to the board, saying charge of stunting under the Traffic Safety Act. PUBLISHER: Kathryn M. Lymburner B.A.- [email protected] if the Vancouver model were to be imple- NEWS EDITOR: Mark Reesor - [email protected] The non-criminal offence carries a $402 SUBSCRIPTIONS: Blue Line Store at www.BlueLine.ca mented, the force stood to lose $16 million fine. ADVERTISING: 1-888-640-3048 in revenue. Blair also suggested the move CBC reporter Meghan Grant says she could have a negative impact on the morale was reporting three weeks ago along the Red 12A-4981 Hwy. 7 East, Ste. 254, Markham ON L3R 1N1 of the force. Mile, a strip of bars and restaurants popular Phone: 905 640-3048 eMail: [email protected] 2 with Calgary Flames fans, when a man shout- The packages were delivered last week. ed out from a passing truck. All have been collected by police, with Her camera recorded the truck’s licence FRIDAY the exception of two in Labrador. plate and officers tracked down the alleged MAY 15, 2015 Police say two of the packages have been heckler. opened. Grant says the man shouted out the same May 15 2015 They say both contain documents ad- sexually explicit phrase that has become a PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - A coroner’s dressed to the courts in a foreign language. trend targeting female reporters. inquest into a deadly mill explosion Other provinces have received similar A man who recently shouted obscenities in northern British Columbia has packages. at a reporter covering a Toronto soccer game suggested that the RCMP develop a Police say it remains unclear why the was fired by his employer for violating its policy for investigating criminal neg- packages were delivered to courtrooms code of conduct. ligence in the workplace as one of 33 across the country. (VOCM) recommendations aimed at prevent- May 14 2015 ing similar disasters. EDMONTON - Edmonton police have A five-person jury made the recommen- May 15 2015 discovered what they call a “grow-op dations after eight hours of deliberations on RICHMOND, B.C. - A Mountie is su- on wheels” in which marijuana plants Thursday but ultimately concluded that the ing an RCMP detachment in British were being grown inside a converted fatal 2012 blast at Lakeland Mills in Prince Columbia, alleging injuries she sus- semi-trailer. The trailer was found last George, B.C., was accidental. tained on the job required face-al- month inside a west-end warehouse Accidental means the deaths were the re- tering surgery and left her unable to that was outfitted with electrical light- sult of unintended or unexpected events. work. ing, a carbon dioxide generator and a Workers Alan Little and Glenn Roche Richmond RCMP Const. Silina Sargis self-watering system. died from severe burns suffered during the has filed a notice of civil claim in B.C. Su- Apr. 23 explosion, while more than 20 others preme Court that says the incident happened were injured, many seriously. while she was driving an all-terrain vehicle That blast also killed two people and in- around Sea Island in search of a body. jured more than 20 others. She alleges she was trying to drive over a piece of driftwood when she was thrust for- May 15 2015 ward and smashed her head and face into the ST. JOHN’S, N.L. - Police in Newfound- vehicle’s front metal rack. land and Labrador say the contents of Sargis claims she had to undergo surgery 11 suspicious packages delivered to on her face that changed her appearance, and courts across the province were not that she hasn’t been able to work since the dangerous, toxic or explosive. accident in June 2013. Members of the Alberta Law Enforcement She alleges it was her first time on an Response Teams, which includes officers from both the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP, dismantled the operation on April 28. A total of 559 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $670,000, were removed from the warehouse, including about 150 from the trailer. Each plant was capable of produc- ing four to 10 ounces of marijuana within a fourth-month cycle, police said. Similar operations have been reported in British Columbia. (Edmonton Journal)

May 14 2015 REGINA - Regina police are using data analysis to determine where offic- ers should patrol in order to prevent crimes from happening in an initiative called Proactive Policing. Instead of reacting to a crime, after it happens, the initiative will use analytical tools to anticipate where crimes are most likely to happen. Supt. Corey Zaharuk said officers will also have a more visible presence in certain areas of the city. “Recently, our officers have also been out at places like community rinks, leisure cen- tres and shopping centres, where high rates of theft from autos were occurring, to deter thieves,” Zaharuk said. “[Also] to remind people to remove valuables from vehicles and not leave them in plain sight.” Zaharuk said police will use informa- tion gleaned from their database to determine where to go. (CBC News) 3 ATV since training, and claims she was only May 15 2015 Canada of the fatal shootings. given an open-faced helmet when she should EDMONTON - A judge has ruled that Creasser, who previously called for an have been provided with a full face mask and an Edmonton police officer was driv- independent inquiry when debate arose about a protective chin bar. ing dangerously when he raced his the RCMP’s readiness to deal with the gun- None of the allegations has been tested unmarked car through an intersec- man, said he applauds the charges. in court. tion, killing an 84-year-old woman. “Members continue to be vulnerable to (CKNW) But Justice John Little said the officer’s the political choices made by management,” driving wasn’t illegal. said Creasser, a retired officer who served May 15 2015 He said he had reasonable doubt in the 28 years with the RCMP and now speaks TORONTO - Toronto police launched case against Const. Chris Luimes and so ac- for the association, which represents about a pilot project to test body-worn cam- quitted him on a charge of dangerous driving 2,000 of the estimated 18,000 Mounties eras for its officers on Friday, joining causing death. across Canada. a growing number of forces trying out “While the collision was a tragic event “The RCMP moved quickly to paint the technology, which has been greet- and took the life of one driver and left Const. [the Moncton shootings] as an unfortunate ed with a mix of optimism and caution. Luimes permanently disabled, his driving event, but members had doubts. We had was not a criminal act,’’ the judge said Friday. been through the Mayerthorpe tragedy, we Luimes, 37, refused to talk to reporters as knew what we should be doing as an organ- he walked out of the courthouse with about a ization to protect and prepare members, but dozen fellow officers. it wasn’t getting done,” he said in a state- Court heard that he was part of a surveil- ment. lance team assigned to follow a suspected One of the key recommendations of an gold thief on the morning of March 8, 2012. inquiry into the 2005 deaths of four RCMP He was in plain clothes and driving an un- officers near Mayerthorpe, Alta., was to marked car with its lights and siren off. equip general duty members with high- Another officer was driving behind the powered, mid-sized rifles - namely the Colt suspect and Luimes was trying to keep up C8 patrol carbine, a gun used by many other with them as he sped through a southside law enforcement agencies, due to its preci- intersection at 117 km/h, nearly double the sion, higher magazine capacity and effec- The year-long project in Canada’s most posted speed limit. tiveness at great distances, said Creasser. populous city will see 100 officers wear the His car then struck an oncoming vehicle Paulson, who was assistant commis- cameras as three different models are tested. that was making a left-hand turn. sioner at the time of the report, “inexplica- A report on the exercise will be completed by Anne Walden was pronounced dead at bly rejected [it] and stalled in implementing June 2016. the scene. the rollout,” the statement said. “I think that this project has the potential Luimes testified during his trial that he “Members have speculated that the to strengthen the policing profession, and I has no memory of the crash or the moment RCMP was not keen to prioritize arming think it has the potential to strengthen our re- leading up to it. Court heard he broke a leg members when the RCMP was facing nega- lationship with the community and enhance and two vertebrae and will never be able to tive publicity on other use of force issues public trust,’’ Staff. Supt. Tom Russell said as run again. He now works as a police dis- - a political trade-off that may have contrib- the project was launched. patcher. uted to the Moncton tragedy.” “We believe that body-worn cameras The judge said expert evidence showed Terry McKee, a retired RCMP corporal are a valuable piece of technology that will that Luimes did hit his brakes and tried to who had supervised two of the Moncton provide an unbiased, accurate account of our avoid the collision. But if he been driving officers who were killed in the shootings, interaction with the public.’’ the speed limit, or just slightly over, the crash agrees Paulson should be held accountable The cameras will be activated whenever would have been a fender-bender and no one and says he hopes the charges are just the there is a call for service or someone is being would have been hurt. beginning. investigated. Informal or casual conversa- “I’m glad due diligence is being done tions with citizens and interactions without May 15 2015 with health and safety and we’re proceed- an investigative element will not require the The Mounted Police Professional ing,” he said. activation of the cameras. Association of Canada says the “I’m happy, but it’s not a joyous occa- Officers have been trained on privacy RCMP should plead guilty to the sion, because all of this took place with the and human rights issues, Russell noted, and Canada Labour Code charges loss and injury of members - not only physi- will have to tell people when the cameras are against it in connection with the cally, but mentally.” rolling in most situations. shooting deaths of three Mount- Three members of the Codiac Regional In private spaces, such as homes and ies and wounding of two others in RCMP were killed and two others were businesses, an officer needs consent in Moncton, N.B., last June. wounded by gunman Justin Bourque as he most situations before activating a camera. Spokesman Rob Creasser is also calling wandered through a Moncton neighbour- But officers executing a search warrant, or for the resignation of RCMP Commissioner hood on June 4, 2014. those in “exigent’’ circumstances will be Bob Paulson. The Public Prosecution Service of Can- allowed to record in private spaces without “All of this has taken place on his watch,” ada recommended the RCMP be prosecuted consent. Creasser told CBC News on Friday. for contravening occupational health and The project - which currently has a “He has publicly told the media in many safety provisions of the Labour Code. budget of $500,000 - will store encrypted interviews that he felt RCMP members, espe- There are four counts under Section video from body-worn cameras on a police cially in Moncton, had adequate training and 148(1) of the Canada Labour Code. That server for a year, unless it is needed for a weaponry. That was not the case, and contin- section of the code states that “every per- longer period of time. ues not to be the case across the country.” son who contravenes a provision of this In launching the project, Toronto falls The RCMP will appear in Moncton pro- part is guilty of an offence and liable” to in line with similar testing efforts carried vincial court on July 9 to face four charges a maximum $1-million fine and/or a prison out in Vancouver, Edmonton and Hamil- under the Labour Code related to equipment, sentence of up to two years. ton, among others. The Calgary police ser- training and supervision. It’s not clear if individual RCMP mem- vice has already equipped hundreds of its The charges stem from an investigation bers will face charges. officers with body-worn cameras. by Employment and Social Development (CBC News)

4 May 15 2015 are far between,” the Journal reported. The before suffocating her. VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Police training they received at the Camsell was ad- This time, a Star investigation has re- Athletic League (PAL) and its com- vanced first aid and sanitation. The officers vealed, DNA results from that murder - munity partners held the annual PAL spent mornings at lectures, watching films which would have helped investigators by soccer tournament on Thursday. and exams. linking the crimes - took 10 weeks to process PAL is a youth crime prevention initia- “As much practical medicine as possible and upload from the day crime scene items tive that uses athletic, recreational and edu- is shown the men, they often watch vaccina- began arriving at Toronto’s forensic lab. cational programs as a tool to foster positive tions, dental work and treatment of burns or During those 10 weeks, Williams rapport and mutual trust between police of- various kinds of wounds,” the Journal wrote. killed again. He stalked, tortured and raped ficers and youth. “Every afternoon is spent in the materni- 27-year-old Jessica Lloyd before strangling With the partnership of the Vancouver ty wing of a hospital where small groups are her on Jan. 29, 2010. He dumped her body in School Board, BC Place, The Vancouver Po- permitted to watch child delivery. This phase a field five days later. lice Foundation and the support of many lo- of the training is one of the most important The 10-week wait was more than twice cal businesses and community members, ap- as policemen in the North often are called to as long as a 30-day target suggested nearly 20 proximately 15 elementary schools near the assist at child birth.” years ago by Justice Archie Campbell, who DTES and from East Vancouver were able to Officers were trained in how to handle delivered a scathing review of the bungled take part. cases of hydatid disease, which passes eas- investigation and handling of DNA in the VPD Acting Deputy Chief Daryl Wiebe ily from dogs to people. Pulling teeth was case of Paul Bernardo, the province’s most kicked off the event at BC Place Stadium another major part of the course, as well as notorious serial killer until Williams. where an estimated 1,000 elementary school learning how to administer anesthetics, how What’s clear is that DNA wasn’t pro- kids participated in this fun and exciting to vaccinate and how to treat frostbite. cessed fast enough to link the crime scenes tournament to support youth in the city. They were taught how to examine eyes, before Lloyd’s murder. Kids Play said that they teamed up with ears and throats for evidence of disease, and “What took so long?” asks the RCMP’s the VPD had over 80 volunteers who helped how to handle serious emergencies until former director of behavioural sciences, out and made this event a success. This pro- a doctor arrived or until a patient could be Glenn Woods. gram started off with a team of few individ- moved to a hospital. “Anytime something could have been uals and now has grown to become a larger On completion of the course and written done to maybe have sped up the investigation and stronger team to make a bigger and exam, the officers were sent immediately to in terms of identifying a suspect, you would more positive difference in the community. their northern detachments. expect that that would be done.” They said: “The sole purpose of Kids (Edmonton Journal) Through a freedom of information re- Play is to bring about an affirmative change quest, the Star obtained the dates when mate- in the community by keeping our youth on May 16 2015 rial for analysis was received by the forensic the right track through involvement in sports In mid-September 2009, air force colo- lab and uploaded to the national DNA data- and extra-curricular activities. These young nel Russell Williams broke into a neigh- base. The Ministry of Community and Cor- students participated in competitive soccer bour’s home in the village of Tweed. He rectional Services fought releasing the dates and learnt the opportunities to become lead- beat, blindfolded and sexually assault- for more than three years. ers and athletes within their communities, ed a young woman as her 8-week-old The information and privacy commis- along with staying away from the lifestyle daughter slept in another room. sioner - agreeing with the Star that the dates of drugs and gangs.” were a matter of public interest - eventually (Indo-Canadian Voice) ordered their release. The time it took to process some items from Comeau’s crime scene was slightly above the average turnaround time - 62 days SATURDAY - for processing scientific evidence, including MAY 16, 2015 DNA, in an Ontario murder in 2009-10. That is a combined average for Ontario’s two forensic labs, in Toronto and Sault Ste. May 16 2015 Marie. The ministry refused to say what the EDMONTON - Whether it was pulling turnaround time is for each lab. teeth, immunizing against rabies, or The ministry says in 2013-14, the aver- delivering a baby, Mounties serving age turnaround time for processing scientific in Canada’s North were prepared to When police arrived, a DNA sample was evidence in a murder case was 52 days - a meet any emergency. lifted from behind the woman’s neck. It took combined average for both Ontario labs. To equip members of the RCMP for the less than two weeks for the Centre of Foren- The ministry, which oversees the OPP and extra duties required in the North, a special sic Sciences in Toronto to identify a DNA the forensic lab, refused to respond to most school was held yearly in Edmonton at the profile and upload it to the RCMP’s National written questions from the Star, including Charles Camsell Hospital. The RCMP mem- DNA Data Bank. what, if anything, has been done to cut DNA bers would spend three years in the North Days before that upload, Williams un- processing times since the Bernardo report. before they would be rotated to another post. leashed the same violence on another neigh- It also rejected requests for an interview Thirty constables representing every bour, Laurie Massicotte, though no useful with safety minister Yasir Naqvi, the OPP province were enrolled in a two-week course DNA sample was found. Massicotte lived on and the Toronto Centre of Forensic Sciences. during which they received instructions from Williams’s dead-end street called Cosy Cove It cited ongoing litigation for the silence, but doctors, the Journal reported. In addition, Lane. refused to name the outstanding civil suits. veteran members of the force who had served On Nov. 24, he took his crime spree to Lynne Bell, president of the Canadian in the North would lecture and pass on the Brighton, 60 kilometres south of Tweed, Society of Forensic Science, says crime knowledge they had gained through their ex- and escalated to murder. He broke into the labs across Canada are struggling to keep periences. home of Marie-France Comeau, a 38-year- up with demand from police forces. “For northern duty, where keeping law old corporal under his command at Canadian “The labs are overwhelmed at the mo- and order is just part of their job, the men Forces Base Trenton. He rained blows on her ment,” says Bell, also a criminology pro- must learn to cope with a variety of circum- head with a flashlight and sexually assaulted fessor at Simon Fraser University in B.C. stances, mostly medical, because doctors her for hours, capturing much of it on video, “In the end it very much boils down to a

5 will (by governments) to invest.” “When I was on Whyte Avenue and I’d tional about it. I’m just so damn proud of All provinces, except Ontario and hear that, I’d go up to guys and I’d say, ‘Hey what I do,” Brodeur said. Quebec, are served by RCMP labs. In On- man, my name’s Maurice. I’ve got broth- “The term ‘Edmonton’s Finest’ used to tario, the Toronto centre has a staff of 217, ers, sisters, mom and dad, I’m just like you.’ resonate. It needs to resonate again.” including 75 in the biology section that That’s the branding and marketing we need (Edmonton Sun) handles DNA. Sault Ste. Marie’s staff of to do,” Brodeur said. “Because if we don’t, 23 includes nine in biology. More serious we’ll always be the (bleeping) cops. And then crimes - and those where police have iden- some people can’t handle the pressure of be- tified a suspect - have faster processing targets. ing the (bleeping) cops and they don’t join MONDAY A 2007 report by the Auditor General the police.” MAY 18, 2015 criticized Ontario’s two forensic labs for slow Brodeur says it hasn’t always been that way. processing times. It noted that the number of The 25-year veteran of the Edmonton May 18 2015 forensic reports issued by the labs increased and Winnipeg forces said both times he ap- WASHINGTON - US President Barrack from 7,486 in 2001 to 12,693 in 2007. Re- plied for jobs, “a couple thousand” hopefuls Obama is banning local police depart- ports involving DNA increased by 224 per applied for classes of 25-30 officers. ments from receiving a range of mili- cent during that period. “We’re certainly not seeing those num- tary-style equipment from the federal In the U.S., a 2010 study found DNA bers now.” government -- from grenade launch- turnaround times from crime scenes of three Brodeur said police are scrutinized ers to bayonets to certain armored ve- weeks to nine months, depending on the more than ever before, and few people want hicles -- as he implements the recom- state. In the U.K., it takes five to 14 days. to deal with being constantly subjected to mendations of a panel that examined The RCMP’s National Forensic Labora- stares and iPhone videos when walking the controversial gear giveaways in tory Services processes DNA from sexual as- around in uniform. the wake of the Ferguson riots. sault investigations in 51 days, on average. Qualifications to become a police officer The White House announced Monday When such crimes are a priority - when pub- have also gotten more stringent, while the job that Washington would no longer provide lic safety is at risk, for example - the average has become more complicated. some military-style gear while putting strict- turnaround time is 18 days. While the pay is good, working grave- er controls on other weapons and equipment For homicides, the RCMP’s labs process yard shifts and weekends turns people off as distributed to law enforcement. DNA in 65 days, on average. When those well, and most young men and women in Al- Obama said the use of militarized gear by cases are a priority, the average turnaround berta find private sector jobs more appealing. police can give the public the feeling that law time is 19 days. “The oil patch is easy money, and with enforcement is like “an occupying force.” The relatively quick two-week process- less stress,” Brodeur said. In previewing the president’s trip, the ing time for Williams’s first sexual assault The EPS 2016-18 business plan identifies White House said that effective immediately, could have been the result of police trying to a high likelihood of a failure to recruit “suita- the federal government will no longer fund or confirm suspicions that the same person was ble sworn members,” citing “perceptions and provide armored vehicles that run on a tracked responsible for the second assault nearby a attitudes about policing as a profession; sig- system instead of wheels, weaponized aircraft few days later. But the Toronto lab was un- nificant disinterest in policing as a career and or vehicles, firearms or ammunition of .50-ca- able to identify a DNA profile from materials the highly competitive market for the same liber or higher, grenade launchers, bayonets or submitted in the second assault. potential candidates.” camouflage uniforms. The federal government When Comeau was murdered in Bright- Brodeur said the backlash against police also is exploring ways to recall prohibited on, police did not suspect a link to the sexual in the U.S, where citizens are killed by of- equipment already distributed. assaults 60 kilometres north in Tweed, says ficers far more frequently, has crept north of In addition to the new equipment-transfer Van Allen, the former OPP criminal profiler. the border and translated into more violence bans, a longer list of equipment the federal (Toronto Star) against police. government provides will come under tighter Brodeur said he prides himself on being control, including wheeled armored vehicles held to a high standard and believes in police like Humvees, manned aircraft, drones, spe- SUNDAY transparency, but said police management cialized firearms, explosives, battering rams MAY 17, 2015 and especially politicians need to present and riot batons, helmets and shields. Starting more stories about the positive work officers in October, police will have to get approval do on a daily basis. from their city council, mayor or some other May 17 2015 “There’s a lot of reasons why this job is local governing body to obtain it, provide a EDMONTON - The head of Edmon- not as attractive as it used to be, and it’s a persuasive explanation of why it is needed ton’s police union says cops need an shame. Because serving your fellow man, and have more training and data collection image makeover. there’s no higher calling. Giving mobile ser- on the use of the equipment. vice to protect and help people, I get emo- (Fox News)

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is having trouble recruiting new members, ac- cording to a business plan that will go before city council Wednesday, and Maurice Bro- deur is not surprised. When he was in uniform, Brodeur would often hear people refer to himself and his partner on the street as “the (bleeping) cops.”

6 Capt. Éric Martin, 49, was the number cluding Insp. Ted De Jager who told those two officer in Operation Hammer, the first in attendance that the memorial service will TUESDAY police squad assembled to investigate corrup- become an annual event. MAY 19, 2015 tion and collusion in the construction indus- “He is a member of the (RCMP) family, try before it was fused into UPAC. so that was a commitment that I made at the

May 19 2015 According to a report prepared by Que- memorial that we will remember him,” said bec coroner Pierre Belisle, the pressure Mar- De Jager. “Although it was a short service, EDMONTON - An Edmonton police tin experienced on the job caused him to take his service, it was every bit as meaningful as officer is in hospital and a civilian is a sabbatical leave early in 2013. He took a anyone else’s.” dead after both were shot during a job in the private sector while on leave. “It’s important to have that understanding Monday night traffic stop. Police said at about 9:30 p.m., a citizen “Through the testimony of the people of the sacrifices that our members throughout called them about a possible impaired driver. close to him, we learned that Mr. Martin oc- the years have made.” They said two officers pulled over a vehi- cupied a high-level position with the Sûreté De Jager was impressed with the cer- cle on the city’s east side and shots were fired du Québec. The pressure and the responsibil- emony, especially the fact that members of during a “confrontation with the members.’’ ities that accompanied the mandates assumed Kornelson’s troop were in attendance. Edmonton police Chief Rod Knecht told by Mr. Martin had a serious affect on his “They’ve been long since retired so hav- reporters early Tuesday morning that the health, principally his mental health,” Belisle ing them come out was amazing.” wounded officer, who has been on the city wrote in his report. One issue that both De Jager and Buis force for eight years, has a non-life-threaten- The coroner has determined Martin took would like to see resolved is, despite the fact his own life and died by drowning. Kornelson was officially on duty, training in ing injury to his lower body. (Montreal Gazette) “I visited with our member at hospital. the pool, when he passed away his name has still not been added to the RCMP’s Honour He is heavily sedated but is in good spirits May 19 2015 and appears to be doing well.’’ Roll. The civilian died at the scene, but inves- A crowd of close to 50 people stood Ten years ago one of his troop mates, tigators have not released the person’s name. quietly in Hatzic Cemetery on Friday John Mitchell submitted documents to the No other officers were hurt. morning, remembering a fallen friend, RCMP to get the oversight corrected. Those Knecht said stopping vehicles is one comrade and troop mate. documents were forwarded to the Canadian of the most dangerous aspects of an of- Police and Peace Officers Memorial, which ficer’s job. is separate from the RCMP. “When we stop a car, such as in this type “It was accepted and his name went up of situation, you don’t know who’s in the on the cenotaph just outside parliament,” vehicle and what they have been doing, or said Buis. what they’re planning on doing. This is just However, Kornelson’s name is still not another example of a simple traffic stop that on the RCMP memorial and that’s the next turns into something.’’ step that Buis wants to see happen. He plans The Alberta Serious Incident Response to file new papers to get Kornelson’s sacrifice Team has taken over the investigation. officially recognized. (CHED) The RCMP Honour Roll is located in Regina. (Mission City Record) May 19 2015 A half century after RCMP Cst. Kenneth Kornelson died, his fellow police officers fi- KEMNAY, Man. - A man accused of nally had the chance to say goodbye. May 19 2015 wounding an RCMP officer in a shoot- Kornelson, a recruit from Mission, was ing prior to a standoff in western SURREY, B.C. - The federal govern- accidentally electrocuted while swimming in Manitoba has been charged with two ment has pledged 100 new Mounties the pool at the RCMP Academy “Depot” in counts of attempted murder. to the Metro Vancouver city in the The male officer suffered a non-life- Regina on May 17, 1965. middle of a spasm of gun violence threatening injury Friday evening while The ceremony, which recognized the and added $3.5 million to extract gang checking on a call about an alleged assault at 50th anniversary of the tragedy, was organ- members from the drug-fuelled turf a home in the small community of Kemnay, ized by Staff Sergeant Major John A. Buis war. near Brandon. who said he was motivated to do something National Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Police say that when the officers arrived after hearing the story of Kornelson’s death Findlay unveiled the double-barreled strat- at the scene, they were threatened by a sus- and reading the written account. He said that egy aimed at restoring safety to Surrey, B.C., pect before a gun was fired at them. after Kornelson’s death at the depot in Regi- after months of targeted shootings that have The Mountie who was hit has since been na, his body was quickly taken back to Mis- injured many and killed one man. released from hospital and is expected to sion for a proper funeral. However his troop The response comes as Surrey’s leaders make a full recovery. mates could not attend. and British Columbia’s provincial govern- Clayton Ewert, a 48-year-old Kemnay “All they had were the memories of him ment wave white flags for help from the fed- resident, is also charged with assault, utter- and a very short service in the chapel without eral government. ing threats to kill and two firearms-related Ken’s remains being there,” said Buis. Regional police have made only minor counts. “This (Friday’s ceremony) was a way headway stopping the ongoing gunfire that Ewert was remanded in custody prior to for them to properly say goodbye and it was has targeted adversaries in cars, residences an appearance in Brandon provincial court quite emotional, for many of us.” and streets. today. Buis said that many of the troop mates “I think you’ll start to see results right May 19 2015 had wanted this for a long time. Ten of them away,’’ Findlay told reporters Tuesday at the showed up for the service. announcement at the Surrey School District A high-ranking Sûreté du Québec of- One of Kornelson’s troop mates, Jim head office. ficer whose body was found in a lake Simpson, brought his two sons to the cer- She couldn’t say when the new officers near Sorel last year took his own life emony, both are in the RCMP as well. will be in place, noting that process is still and had been suffering from the pres- Also attending the event was Mission being worked out. The commitment directly sures of his job for several months, Mayor Randy Hawes, Coun. Jim Hinds and answers a formal request for more officers according to a provincial coroner who representative from the Mission RCMP, in- made by the city and B.C.’s attorney general. investigated his death. 7 Police believe a group of South Asians is May 20 2015 other technological innovations that would battling a group of Somali descent to control TORONTO - Toronto’s new police improve policing. the area’s low-level drug trade. chief wasted no time confronting the He also promised to examine all duties Five people have been arrested so far in criticisms levelled at his profession carried out by police officers to see if some about 30 shootings since early March, half as he was sworn in Wednesday, but of them could be done by properly-trained which police have tied to the dispute. About promised “bold steps’’ under his term civilians. 40 cars have fled from crime scenes. Numer- to better the force in Canada’s most ous witnesses have refused to co-operate. populous city. May 20 2015 WINNIPEG - CTV Winnipeg says the Manitoba government is set to change WEDNESDAY the way that police officers will be in- MAY 20, 2015 vestigated. The TV station says it has learned the province will be rolling out a new independ- ent investigation unit comprised of current or May 20 2015 retired officers, and says the Winnipeg police MONTREAL - Ten young people sus- board has been briefed on it. pected of wanting to join jihadist The unit will oversee all police forces groups overseas were arrested last in Manitoba and will investigate officer- weekend at Montreal’s Trudeau Inter- involved shootings and anything criminal in national Airport, the RCMP said late nature involving police officers. Tuesday. The creation of the unit stems from an in- No charges have been laid, the investiga- Mark Saunders, the first black man to quiry report into the death of Crystal Taman, tion is ongoing and the 10 young Montrealers lead the force, was met with a standing ova- who died after her car was rear-ended by an have had their passports confiscated. tion after outlining his vision during a packed off-duty police officer who had been out all The RCMP said in a statement that it is swearing-in ceremony at police headquarters. night partying with colleagues. unable to release any names or information “The challenges are higher than ever The 2008 inquiry led to the disbanding on what led to the arrests. before, the stakes are higher than ever be- of the East St. Paul police force and charges Investigators have, however, met with the fore, but so are the opportunities to take bold against the police chief of deliberately botch- families and friends of the suspects and said steps,’’ he said. “We have no excuses. We ing the investigation in order to protect the “the decision to leave the country was not that know what we have to do. I feel a great sense officer. of the family, but of a single family member.’’ of optimism.’’ The police chief was acquitted and im- “These are very difficult times for the Saunders, 52, was selected as Toronto’s paired driving charges were dropped against relatives and loved ones of the persons ar- top cop after an extensive international the off-duty officer, Derek Harvey-Zenk, rested,’’ the RCMP said. “As a result, family search to replace his predecessor, Bill Blair. who was given a two-year conditional sen- members often find themselves at a complete He has spent 32 years with the Toronto tence for dangerous driving causing death. loss and unable to understand the decision police and comes to his new job from the spe- (CTV Winnipeg) made by the youth.’’ cial operations command, where he managed Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney 1,200 officers and 164 civilians in a depart- May 20 2015 said in a release that he cannot comment on ment that included the homicide squad, sex- SYDNEY, N.S. - The Nova Scotia gov- the arrests directly, but he commended the crimes unit, and guns and gangs task force. ernment is placing a team of special- RCMP and the Integrated National Security As he took on his new post, Saunders ac- ized nurses in Sydney to help victims Enforcement Team for their “continued vigi- knowledged the challenges facing the force of sexual assault. lance in keeping our streets and communities of about 5,500 uniformed officers and 2,500 The nurses will have training to provide safe from the ongoing global terror threat.’’ civilians. emotional support for victims and collect fo- The weekend arrests follow reports ear- “Policing is at a crossroads. It is under rensic evidence. lier this year that six young people from the scrutiny as never before. The legitimacy and Health Minister Leo Glavine says the Montreal area had left the country in mid- sustainability of policing are under challenge government is aware of gaps in services for January and may have joined jihadist groups from those who believe it is both seriously victims of sexual assault. in the Middle East. flawed and too expensive,’’ he said. The government plans to add one more A well-placed source confirmed the six “The challenges have never been greater, team of specialized nurses in southwestern people between 18 and 20 years old all went but so too, opportunities to examine every- Nova Scotia, in addition to Sydney and the to Turkey, which is a well-known gateway thing we do, how we do, why we do, should two existing teams in Halifax and Antigonish. to jihadists groups based in Syria and Iraq. we continue to do it, can we do it more ef- The Department of Health and Well- Montreal police would only confirm that fectively and efficiently.’’ ness, the Nova Scotia Health Authority they were investigating several cases of Saunders promised that under his com- and IWK Health Centre will determine missing adults. mand, Toronto police would work to im- whether the service in Sydney will be prove their interactions with the public. based in a hospital or co-ordinated by a May 20 2015 “Every member of this service has a community organization. GUELPH, Ont. - A man has been fatally personal responsibility to make sure their In either case, the team will travel to shot by police in the emergency room interactions with members of the commu- health facilities in the area to provide ser- at a hospital in Guelph, Ont. nity are marked by courtesy and respect,’’ vices where they are needed. The Special Investigations Unit says he said. The government says both new teams Guelph police officers were involved in an “We have to ensure that our community will be in place by late 2015. “interaction’’ with a man on Wednesday af- engagements become smarter, surgical, ternoon at Guelph General Hospital. that they are conformed and guided by the The police watchdog agency says two of- latest and most accurate intelligence. That May 20 2015 ficers discharged their firearms and the man they are guided by the law.’’ OTTAWA - Ontario Provincial Police was pronounced dead at the scene. Saunders highlighted a new pilot pro- are investigating allegations of RCMP Guelph police say they are co-operating ject launched last week to test body-worn wrongdoing related to the illegal de- with the SIU investigation. cameras, and noted that he was open to struction of long gun registry records.

8 Last week, information commissioner Canadian killers, Michael (Taz) Sandham of Suzanne Legault issued a special report that Winnipeg, rode down to Texas to meet with showed she had recommended charges be the top level of the Bandidos weeks before THURSDAY laid against the Mounties for the destruction the Shedden killing. MAY 21, 2015 of the records that were part of an active in- Sandham and Kellestine met with Peter vestigation. (Mongo) Price, the national sergeant at arms May 21 2015 But the federal government retroactively at Peace Arch Park, which straddles B.C. and OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Can- rewrote the law, backdated the changes and Washington State, weeks before the murders. ada has ruled that the manslaughter buried the amendment in the omnibus budget Cook dismissed the suggestion that Price conviction of an Ontario aboriginal bill introduced earlier this month. was more than a messenger. man should not be overturned be- Legault responded by calling the govern- “He’s not a significant enough player to be cause of a lack of aboriginal jurors. ment move a “perilous precedent’’ that could anything more than a delivery man,” Cook said. By a 5-2 margin, the high court found be used by governments to retroactively Several of the men convicted in the Shed- that a northern Ontario community made rea- rewrite laws on everything from spending den killings were connected to the former sonable efforts to ensure the jury in a man- scandals to electoral fraud. Winnipeg probationary chapter of the Ban- slaughter case had adequate aboriginal rep- Sergeant Peter Leon of the OPP confirms didos. resentation. an investigation will take place. Cook also said that the Winnipeg chapter The ruling overturns the 2011 Ontario Justice Minister Peter MacKay’s spokes- had been relatively unassuming before the Court of Appeal ruling that found the ab- woman Clarissa Lamb said in an email that, meetings with the top American Bandidos. sence of aboriginals on the jury violated Clif- “The Attorney General of Canada is not re- “They were always relatively quiet,” ford Kokopenace’s constitutional rights, and sponsible for laying charges.’’ Cook said. threw out his 2008 conviction. The Bandidos have roughly 2,400 mem- Kokopenace was convicted in 2008 of May 20 2015 bers worldwide, with their headquarters, or stabbing a friend to death on the Grassy Nar- Faced with the choice between a poten- “Mother Chapter,” in Texas. rows reserve in northwestern Ontario. tial death penalty and freedom, some (Toronto Star) Kokopenace’s Kenora district jury was Texas members of the Bandidos biker selected from a panel of 175 potential jurors, club charged in last weekend’s deadly May 20 2015 only eight of whom were on-reserve residents, shootout can be expected to start talk- It was bound to happen someday. but none of those made it on to the jury. ing with investigators, police say. Police in Australia are warning con- The high court’s ruling restores Koko- And that could shed fresh light on the role cert-goers to be on the lookout for penace’s original conviction. top American bikers may have played in the Nickelback, the oft-maligned yet in- slaughter of eight Toronto-area bikers in 2006. ternationally successful Canadian May 21 2015 “A lot of these guys are going to roll rock band. REGINA - After two months of unsuc- (co-operate with police),” said Steve Cook, cessfully trying to meet with a group a Kansas City, Mo.-area police detective of concerned citizens, Regina’s police with the Midwest Outlaw Motorcycle Inves- chief felt the need to write an open letter. tigators Assn., who has worked undercover The Regina Police Service published against a gang affiliated to the Bandidos. the letter by Police Chief Troy Hagen on The Texas Bandidos were involved in a its website on Wednesday. In the message, shootout with the rival Cossacks club shortly Hagen responded to a list of eight concerns after noon on Sunday in a suburban mall in the group delivered to police during a rally Waco, Texas that left nine men dead, 18 in- on March 15, the International Day Against jured and 170 arrested. Police Brutality. The arrested bikers are being held on Hagen said the list, which included con- $1-million bond. cerns about racial profiling, treatment toward Somewhere in that group of jailed bikers those with disabilities and transparency, was are men who know more about the role top also posted to social media. American Bandidos played in the systematic In his letter, Hagen wrote that the RPS murders of the eight Toronto-area Bandi- does not engage in racial or youth profiling dos in 2006 in a southwestern Ontario barn and highlighted continuing to build relation- owned by Bandido Wayne (Weiner) Kelles- ships with aboriginal communities. As for tine, Cook said. public accountability, Hagen wrote that 78 “I would think if they have any knowl- per cent of allegations against the service edge of Ontario, that would be the trump “Police are on the lookout for these men have been unfounded in the past eight years. card to play,” Cook said. “I’d be playing that who are believed to be impersonating musi- “Since the concerns were raised in a very trump card immediately.” cians,” the Queensland Police Service said public manner,” Hagen wrote, “we cannot Cook said he has long believed that some in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The post leave the public with an impression that the Americans Bandidos officers should have includes a rough drawing of the suspects, but Regina Police Service is indifferent to your been charged for the 2006 murders. no photograph to look at. group’s concerns.” Six Canadians connected to the Bandidos The post says Nickelback is “wanted for The currently unnamed group had its were convicted of first degree murder for the crimes against music.” first meeting after Brooke Watson and her systematic executions. Queensland police say the musicians are mother made allegations against two Regina “I can’t imagine Kellestine and those expected to appear in the Brisbane suburb of police officers. guys just making a decision on how they’re Boondall on Wednesday night. Watson, whose claims were deemed un- going to wipe out an entire chapter on their “Avoid the area,” the post says. “It may founded by a Public Complaints Commission own, and not worry about the repercussions be hazardous to your hearing and street cred.” investigation, alleged that two officers took from America,” Cook said. The post includes two hashtags, #No- her into custody and drove her outside the “I don’t think Kellestine is that sort of FixedAddress and #LookAtThisGraph. “No city in January. She also alleged that the of- free and independent thinker that he’d come Fixed Address” is the name of Nickelback’s ficers were verbally abusive to her and that up with that idea all by himself.” latest album, while “Look at This Graph” is they took her coat, shoes, keys and cellphone Cook noted that one of the convicted the name of a Nickelback viral meme. from her and did not return them. (CTV News) (Regina Leader Post) 9