August 9, 2013 – Vol. 18 No. 32 Ombudsman to probe

Aug 01 2013 police guidelines VANCOUVER - A civilian employee of the RCMP has filed a B.C. Su- preme Court lawsuit alleging that a culture of sexual harassment with- in the force was so pervasive it couldn’t be stopped. Page 2

Aug 06 2013 Police forces across will no longer police themselves when it comes to public complaints of dis- crimination. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal says it will now hear cases of alleged police discrimina- tion even if a similar complaint has already been dealt with by another oversight body. Page 4

Aug 07 2013

HALIFAX - A law in Nova Scotia that Aug 08 2013 Sammy Yatim, 18, was killed on an empty allows people to sue or seek a pro- TORONTO - Ontario’s ombudsman streetcar on July 27 in an incident captured on tection order from the courts if they says he’ll conduct a systemic investi- surveillance and cellphone videos. or their children are being cyberbul- gation into the government’s guide- Shouts of “drop the knife’’ could be heard lied has taken effect. lines to police on how to de-escalate as a few officers surround the streetcar. Three Page 5 conflict situations. shots ring out and Yatim can be seen dropping Andre Marin’s announcement comes in to the floor, then seconds later six more shots Aug 07 2013 the wake of the fatal shooting of a Toronto can be heard followed by the sound of a Taser. ORILLIA - Orillia’s dispute with teenager that’s sparked public outrage over Witnesses have told various media outlets the OPP over a new policing con- police use of force. that Yatim exposed himself and waved a knife tract could be heading off to bind- He’s said the shooting raises the question around before the other streetcar passengers fled. ing arbitration. of whether it’s time for the province to direct His death prompted hundreds of people Page 6 police on how to de-escalate situations before to take to the streets calling for justice. More they lead to the use of force. than 30,000 people have signed an online Aug 07 2013 TORONTO - The Ontario government says it is strengthening its death in- vestigation system by expanding the role of forensic pathologists. Page 6 petition calling for criminal charges to be filed bigger priority and training should avoid the rejected their version of events in finding both against the officer who fired the shots. use of violence. guilty of assault. The Special Investigations Unit - Ontario’s He said police shootings have become a On Thursday, the Court of Appeal cited police watchdog - is looking into what systemic problem that must be addressed at numerous errors made by the judge as happened and if the officer who fired the shots the most basic level. grounds to overturn the guilty verdicts and should face any criminal charges. Toronto “The investigation will relate to the have a re-trial. Police Chief Bill Blair has also said his office systemic response to conflict by police No date has been set. is reviewing the incident. services in Ontario. And in the last week we’ve Conley Papineau told the first trial he was Const. James Forcillo has been suspended looked at the results of inquests dating back punched, kicked and thrown around by the and the Toronto Police Association president to 1994 and the recommendations coming out accused after being confronted in a bar parking is urging the public not to jump to conclusions. fo these inquests are almost carbon copy from lot in Traverse Bay, Man., in 2008. The ombudsman said his office has each other. Increase police training. Increase (Winnipeg Free Press) already received more than 60 complaints how police defuse situations. What’s happened related to this shooting. He also said that to all these recommendations in 20 years? Aug 01 2013 anyone with information relevant to this They’ve all been gathering dust in some bins EDMONTON - A recent drug investiga- investigation can come forward anonymously. somewhere,” he said. tion yielded 28 kilograms of cocaine “I want to stress that this investigation will (Canadian Press, Postmedia News) with a street value of $2.5 million, the not affect the ongoing criminal investigation largest such seizure in the police depart- being conducted by the Ontario Special ment’s history, police said Thursday. Investigations Unit,” he said. THURSDAY The Edmonton Drug and Gang The ombudsman also noted that the chair AUGUST 1, 2013 Enforcement (EDGE) unit made the bust last of the Toronto Police Services Board Friday, concluding a two-month investigation into a high-level cocaine trafficking ring. The welcomed the investigation. Aug 01 2013 But some police officers have already unit executed search warrants at an apartment VANCOUVER - A civilian employee of attacked the ombudsman on Twitter, calling complex, Staff Sgt. Carlos Cardoso said. the RCMP has filed a B.C. Supreme him names associated with terrorism. The “The quantity of cocaine that we seized is Court lawsuit alleging that a culture of the largest ever single seizure to date in the ombudsman said that a Durham Regional sexual harassment within the force Police detective had already been identified City of Edmonton in the history of EPS,” was so pervasive it couldn’t be Cardoso said at a news conference at police as the person behind the attacks. stopped. That conversation quickly took over the headquarters, where drugs and weapons were press conference. on display. “Emotions run high when we talk about Police say the apartment was being used police oversight,” he said. “I would hope for as a cocaine conversion lab. Inside, they also a more informed dialog.” found 10.5 kilograms of a chemical agent Marin declined to mention how the person valued at $52,000 used to convert powder behind the attacks on Twitter was identified cocaine to crack, Cardoso said. and also declined to mention if disciplinary Officers also seized more than $265,000 action would be taken against the officer. in cash. A subsequent search of a vehicle connected to one of the accused led to the The ombudsman’s investigation will not Atoya Montague’s civil lawsuit names examine the criminality of the Yatim shooting seizure of $12,000 cash and 0.2 grams of high-profile Insp. Tim Shields as one of several heroin in a hidden compartment. in particular, but instead will look at the RCMP members who subjected her to on- training, policies and procedures that led to it Jesse James Langevin, 27, of Edmonton, going harassment and sexual harassment. and Vincent Louie, 42, of Vancouver, have and allowed it to happen. The deescalation of The lawsuit alleges Shields made sexual tension and defusing violence should be a each been charged with possession for the advances towards her while they drove to drop purpose of trafficking and cocaine conversion. off supplies to victims of B.C.’s wildfires in (Edmonton Journal) 2003 and also claims Shields showed her his penis and made similar advances in July 2008. The lawsuit alleges Shields made regular FRIDAY comments about her breasts, and that a AUGUST 2, 2013 ISSN 1704-3913 sergeant, staff sergeant and a commissioner at Copyright 2013 different times made sexually degrading Blue Line Magazine Inc. & Aug 02 2013 Permission to reprint may be obtained in advance from comments about her. Access Copyright Montague, who’s been on sick leave for SASKATOON - A man charged in the Phone 1-800-893-5777 [email protected] two years, claims she has post-traumatic stress highway death of a Saskatchewan con- Published weekly by Blue Line Magazine, Inc. as an executive news disorder and is suing for damages and loss of servation officer this spring is now fac- briefing service to Canada’s top level law enforcement personnel. income and earning capacity. ing a charge of manslaughter. Most information supplied in this publication is from newswire Blaine Thomas Taypotat was charged with services. As such Blue Line Magazine does not accept This is another of several harassment responsibility for the accuracy of articles as supplied. lawsuits filed against the RCMP and none of impaired driving causing death and criminal All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, the allegations have been proven in court. negligence causing death in a May 31 collision stored in an electronic database or transmitted in any form or by that killed Justin Knackstedt. any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. One Year Aug 01 2013 The additional count of manslaughter was Subscriptions are $10500 (GST Included). Paid subscribers may make up to four (4) copies of this publication for distribution within WINNIPEG - Manitoba’s highest court laid Thursday during a court appearance in their organization. has ordered a new trial for two RCMP Saskatoon. officers found guilty of beating a hand- Knackstedt had stopped to help RCMP GROUP PUBLISHER: Morley S. Lymburner officers at an accident scene on Highway 11 PUBLISHER: Kathryn M. Lymburner B.A.- [email protected] cuffed man they were found to have NEWS EDITOR: Mark Reesor - [email protected] wrongfully arrested. just south of Saskatoon when he was struck SUBSCRIPTIONS: Blue Line Store at www.BlueLine.ca Cpl. Jeffrey Thomas Moyse, 43, and by a sport utility vehicle.The SUV continued ADVERTISING: 1-888-640-3048 Const. Trevor Ens, 32, had both maintained driving towards Saskatoon and rolled on the their innocence during a 2011 trial. outskirts of the city. 12A-4981 Hwy. 7 East, Ste. 254, Markham ON L3R 1N1 Phone: 905 640-3048 eMail: [email protected] Queen’s Bench Justice Perry Schulman Taypotat returns to court Aug. 21. (CTV Saskatoon)

2 Blue Line NEWS WEEK 3 Blue Line NEWS WEEK Aug 02 2013 The Alberta Serious Incident Response CADOTTE LAKE, Alta. - RCMP have Team is conducting independent investigations MONDAY charged a northern Alberta man with into all three incidents. attempted murder after someone fired The head of the agency cautioned about AUGUST 5, 2013 a rifle at police. reading too much into the incidents when asked Police say an officer was responding to a by a reporter whether the public should question Aug 05 2013 call about a suspected impaired driver its confidence in police. MONTREAL - The death of a 30-year- Wednesday but the driver fled. “I don’t think generally speaking the public old man who rolled his car about 11 Police say when the officer pursued a man needs to be concerned about being stopped,’’ p.m. Sunday near St-Hyacinthe — dur- allegedly fired a rifle round at the constable. Clifton Purvis told a news conference on ing a high-speed chase by the Sûreté The officer returned fire, but no one was Sunday. du Québec — is being investigated by hit. “In fact, I think probably in Canada we’re Montreal police. Rodney Ominayak, 29, of Little Buffalo one of the very few jurisdictions worldwide An SQ patrol car had been trying to catch also faces impaired driving, driving while where your first reaction when you get pulled up with the man along Highway 20 eastbound, disqualified and other charges. over by police isn’t fear, it’s ‘Oh gosh, I got a after he refused to pull over, when the man He was being held in custody pending an ticket.’’’ took Exit 134 and lost control, Constable Aug. 12 court hearing in Peace River. Purvis said Saturday’s incident began when Raphaël Bergeron of Montreal police said. an RCMP officer who was alone in a marked The man’s vehicle rolled over several Aug 03 2013 police cruiser pulled over a vehicle with five times. ONEIDA SETTLEMENT, Ont. - Ontario’s males inside on suspicion the driver might be He was declared dead on the scene. police watchdog is investigating a impaired. The SQ car and the one being chased shooting that happened in the Oneida Purvis said that while the officer was didn’t touch, Bergeron said. First Nation territory near London. arresting one of the males, an altercation Because the death involved the SQ, he The Special Investigations Unit says one occurred with the other four, and that the officer added, the provincial public-security man was taken to hospital with gunshot shot two members of the group. department has placed Montreal police in wounds after what is described as a “police- One male was pronounced dead at the scene charge. involved’’ shooting on Saturday morning. and the other was taken to hospital. The Investigators from the major-crimes squad Ontario Provincial Police had been remaining males were taken into custody. have been sent to the scene, Bergeron said. investigating a robbery that occurred the day RCMP said the man who they used a Taser (Montreal Gazette) before. on during the arrest Friday was a suspect in a The SIU says police received information series of assaults, theft of automobiles, driving TUESDAY that a suspect was driving around the territory complaints and hit-and-runs. They said they with a loaded gun. stopped him at a gas station, but they said there AUGUST 6, 2013 The SIU says the OPP and the man was a physical confrontation and that’s when the Taser was used. exchanged gunfire. Aug 06 2013 The SIU has assigned four investigators Mounties said he was then handcuffed but Police forces across Ontario will no and two forensic investigators to probe the went into medical distress and was transported longer police themselves when it incident. to hospital in Edmonton in life-threatening condition before dying on Sunday. comes to public complaints of discrim- Purvis said his team isn’t linking the use of ination. the weapon with the man’s death. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal says SUNDAY “There will be an autopsy conducted on that it will now hear cases of alleged police AUGUST 4, 2013 male later this week, and it’s hoped the results discrimination even if a similar complaint has of the autopsy will confirm the cause of death,’’ already been dealt with by another oversight Purvis said. body — a factor that usually disqualified a Aug 04 2013 The identities of the men who died have case for consideration. WETASKIWIN, Alta. - Days after a dead- not been released. The ruling ends years of successful ly shooting in Toronto sparked a de- Purvis also said he couldn’t provide much arguments by police lawyers that the tribunal bate over police use of force, Alberta’s detail about the shooting Thursday near Grande should dismiss discrimination cases against police watchdog is looking into three Cache, since he said a suspect is facing charges, officers that were originally filed with the separate incidents that saw officers though he didn’t know if they have been use their firearms or a Taser. Office of the Independent Police Review formally laid. Director (OIPRD), usually the first avenue for The latest incident in Alberta happened RCMP have released few details about the public complaints. Saturday night when police say an officer with shooting, but they have said two officers were That body refers most police conduct the Wetaskiwin RCMP detachment pulled over trying to pull over a suspected impaired driver a suspected impaired driver near Ma Me O when a confrontation ensued and a man was complaints back to the originating force for Beach, south of Edmonton. shot. investigation. RCMP say there was an altercation and He fled, but was caught a short time later “It’s been an ongoing issue for many the officer shot two men who were in the car. and taken to the local hospital. decades — how to police the police in terms A 30-year-old man from Pigeon Lake, A relative said Friday that Curtis Hallock of their conduct,” said Bruce Best, a lawyer Alta., died and a 41-year-old man, also from was shot in the leg and arm. with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. Pigeon Lake, was transported to hospital in Purvis said the police vehicle at the shooting “The police complaint process, as set out in Edmonton. Saturday was equipped with a video camera the Police Services Act, is primarily the chief On Friday, RCMP used a Taser on a 27- and his investigators hoped the recording would disciplining his or her officers. It’s an internal year-old man during an arrest in Leduc, Alta. assist them. mechanism.” The man died Sunday morning. Purvis also said there was cellphone video In 2011-12, the OIPRD referred 1,520 On Thursday, RCMP in Grande Cache and a number of witnesses to the incident with cases back to the police service where the shot and wounded a man who has since been the Taser in Leduc and is hoping they will complaint originated. The organization identified by family as Curtis Hallock, a contact his team, and he noted that forensic retained 121 cases. regular character on the reality TV show investigators with his team were at the location In the past, the Ontario Human Rights “Mantracker.’’ of Thursday’s shooting near Grande Cache. Tribunal dismissed cases based on Section

4 Blue Line NEWS WEEK 45.1 of the Human Rights Code, which was Her family says she was bullied for months there to prevent duplication. WEDNESDAY after a digital photo of her allegedly being “In some cases it’s clear that the same sexually assaulted was passed around her issues have been addressed and it doesn’t make AUGUST 7, 2013 school. sense to relitigate it if someone is trying to The law allows victims of cyberbullying have a second kick at the can,” said Best. Aug 07 2013 to apply for a protection order that could place But the new ruling differentiates between HALIFAX - A law in Nova Scotia that restrictions or help identify the cyberbully, and the two bodies, noting that the police allows people to sue or seek a protec- in the case of a lawsuit, parents of cyberbullies complaint process can only result in discipline tion order from the courts if they or could be held liable for damages if the to the officer whereas a human rights their children are being cyberbullied aggressor is a minor. application could result in the tribunal ordering has taken effect. The act also allows for the creation of an the police service to make systemic changes. Justice Minister Ross Landry introduced investigative unit consisting of five people The decision means a number of human the Cyber-Safety Act in April following the dedicated to pursuing and penalizing rights applications, which have been held for death of 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons, who cyberbullies, whether they’re adults or children. years pending the decision, can now go was taken off life-support following a suicide Landry says the unit will be running in forward. attempt at her home in Halifax. September. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police will review the tribunal’s decision at a meeting in September. “From our perspective, we know there will be some significant challenges for us moving forward,” said Toronto police Insp. Reuben Stroble, vice-chair of the association’s professional standards subcommittee. “We have to look at the impact it’s going to have. There could be conflicting judgments. “That could there be a problem.” ()

Aug 06 2013 CAMPBELLTON, N.B. - The two boys who police say were killed by an Afri- can rock python in Campbellton, New Brunswick are being remembered as fun-loving free spirits. Noah and Connor Barthe, ages five and seven, were found dead yesterday morning in an apartment above an exotic pet store. Police say they believe the snake escaped its enclosure at the apartment and went through a ventilation system before strangling the boys. The Mounties are looking at whether the store followed the province’s regulations on exotic animals as part of their investigation. They say that the snake has been put down.

Aug 06 2013 AURORA, Ont. - Provincial police Com- missioner Chris Lewis says the 2013 Civic Holiday long weekend saw the lowest number of fatalities in areas under OPP jurisdiction in almost 20 years. The OPP reported one fatality on the roads and another fatality in a marine incident over the long weekend. Despite the low fatality rate, officers laid numerous charges for various offences. Police say 290 people were charged with not obeying the move over law, 6,052 motorists were charges for speeding, 83 with street racing, 375 for seat belt infractions, and 96 with driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Officers also issued 233 distracted driving charges and 91 roadside license suspensions to drivers with a blood-alcohol reading in the warning range.

5 Blue Line NEWS WEEK Aug 07 2013 Aug 07 2013 It was found a short time later in a Tofino ORILLIA - Orillia’s dispute with the OPP Treaty Three Police Chief Conrad De- parking lot and a 30-year-old Tofino woman over a new policing contract could be Laronde has submitted a letter of res- now faces charges related to impaired driving heading off to binding arbitration. ignation, saying he will leave the serv- and failing to remain at the scene of a crash. ice in three months. Anderson says Bullock is expected to return to full duties within days.

Aug 07 2013 VANCOUVER - The Police Complaint Commissioner says a public hearing must be held to determine whether two officers used excessive force in a 2011 detention, ruling Wednesday that pre- vious disciplinary proceedings were flawed. Orillia CEO Martiuk Almost two years ago, Const. Aaron Hill The Orillia Police Services board has and Const. Aaron McRae of the Delta Police recommended to council that the OPP proposal Department allegedly tackled a man off of his for an integrated Orillia and Severn and The development comes as a new police bike and repeatedly smashed his face into the Ramara Detachment be sent to an independent board tries to repair a damaged relationship cement. arbitrator. with staff on the Aboriginal force serving many This June, after a lengthy review process, It would be either the Ontario Civilian First Nations in northwestern Ontario and the allegations were dismissed. Police Commission or the Ontario Police eastern Manitoba. But retired Judge De Villiers noted in his Arbitration Commission that would look at the The newly-elected chair of the Treaty dismissal that he wasn’t allowed to cross- proposals and decide which one is the most Three Police Services Board, Eli Mandamin, examined those who testified, and potential appropriate. said on Tuesday he didn’t know the specific witnesses such as the cyclist himself weren’t The cities CAO Roman Martiuk says he reasons behind Chief DeLaronde’s decision to allowed to participate. is confident that the city will get the best resign, but he acknowledged that recent Now, Commissioner Stan Lowe has policing service at the best possible price by turmoil plaguing the force — including ordered a binding public hearing to determine going this route. financial worries and a labour dispute with what discipline, if any, the officers should He says if the OPP agrees to enter a officers — has made for tough times. receive, saying De Villiers may have been binding arbitration, two issues would be under “I know that it’s been really hard on him mistaken. discussion: the number of staff required to and his family,” said Mandamin, who is also The hearing will allow for cross- adequately serve the city and the OPP’s costing chief of Shoal Lake 39 First Nation. “Of examination and witness participation, formula. course, being in the public life also is ... resolving issues Lowe identified with previous Orillia Councillor and Police Service Board stressful itself.” proceedings. member Patrick Kehoe says its been frustrating A spokesperson with the Public Service for the city as they have tried to be flexible with Alliance of Canada, which represents Treaty Aug 07 2013 the OPP throughout this entire process. Three police officers, said she’s not aware of SURREY, B.C. - There’s been a strange Kehoe admits there is a bit of a risk the circumstances around DeLaronde’s twist in the investigation into a hit-and- heading off to arbitration. resignation. run accident in Langley, B.C., that However he says if the OPP balk at that Sharon DeSousa said the union’s focus claimed the life of a man early Wednes- option - then council again will look at the right now is working with the new board to day morning. municipal policing option. ensure the Treaty Three police service RCMP in Surrey say they found the driver (Bayshore News) continues to operate. of the semi truck which struck the 37-year- But she said doesn’t expect DeLaronde’s old pedestrian. Aug 07 2013 resignation will affect those talks and said the Police say the driver is an expert civilian TORONTO - The Ontario government union wishes him well. witness contracted by police throughout the says it is strengthening its death inves- CBC News contacted DeLaronde’s office region. tigation system by expanding the role on Tuesday about his resignation but he In fact, police say that the expert had been of forensic pathologists. declined to comment. consulting with the Surrey Mounties traffic Under a new system, forensic pathologists (CBC News) section on an ongoing traffic investigation just would be appointed as coroners in cases of hours before the hit and run occurred. suspicious death or homicide or where the Aug 07 2013 Surrey RCMP has now requested that an criminal justice system is involved. TOFINO, B.C. - An RCMP officer in Tofi- independent observer from another police It’s one of several changes planned for the no, B.C., is recovering from injuries force monitor the hit-and-run investigation. province’s death investigation system. suffered after being hit by a car while Police say they’re looking for witnesses Ontario’s chief forensic pathologist says conducting a traffic stop near that Van- and need to establish a timeline for both the the new role will mean better services for couver Island community. driver and the victim to try to piece together families and criminal investigators along with Detachment commander Sgt. James what may have happened. more comprehensive court testimony. Anderson says the incident happened last Other changes include posting Friday. Aug 07 2013 recommendations from inquests online and He says Const. Kathy Bullock had just A high-ranking Montreal police officer allowing an oversight council to advise the turned to walk back to her fully marked cruiser, who played a lead role in law enforce- province’s chief coroner on whether to call with its lights activated, when she was hit by ment during Occupy Montreal and last discretionary inquests. the passenger-side mirror of a passing car. year’s student protests has been ap- The government also says it will look at The impact tore the mirror off the car and pointed chief of police in Laval. options that would give the chief coroner the left Bullock with abrasions and whiplash-type Pierre Brochet, a deputy chief with the authority to assign a lawyer or judge to preside injuries, but police say the suspect vehicle, a SPVM, was named Wednesday as the over inquests if necessary. 2005 Hyundai Accent, didn’t stop. successor to Jean-Pierre Gariépy, who

6 Blue Line NEWS WEEK announced his retirement earlier this year. allows members to take part in UN Aug 08 2013 The announcement was made by the peacekeeping missions, Brosseau said. Those Preliminary autopsy results on two Commission municipale du Québec, which who choose to go receive orientation about New Brunswick boys who were killed currently has trusteeship over the beleaguered the countries in which they’ll be serving. after an African rock python escaped city. Officers who have done tours give advice to its enclosure in Campbellton, N.B., Brochet has served as operations chief for those who are planning on going, he said. show they died from asphyxiation, the Montreal service since 2010, responsible “Police officers will call each other and RCMP said Wednesday, as questions lingered about how the large snake for investigations and emergency say ‘What is it going to be like? What are the communication. came to be in the possession of a pet things that I’m not going to hear in those store. “He is a candidate of exceptional value orientation sessions that I need to prepare who will lead the organization toward a service The pathologist completed the autopsies myself for,’ “ Brosseau said. on Noah and Connor Barthe on Tuesday. that is improved, more efficient and RCMP officers have been sent to continually adapting to the changing needs of “At least right now we have a cause of Afghanistan, Ivory Coast, South Sudan and death. Even though we still need some reports an evolving urban centre,” said Florent Gagné, the West Bank, said Sgt. Line Karpish, media the provincially appointed supervisor for Laval from the pathologist to be forwarded, that’s relations officer for the RCMP. going to help the investigation to move and a former head of the Sûreté du Québec. (Winnipeg Free Press) forward,” RCMP Sgt. Alain Tremblay told Gariépy initially said he would retire at CBC News. the end of 2013, but he will now leave his post Aug 08 2013 Tremblay said in a statement that police at the end of August. He has denied any WINNIPEG - An inquest has been called are aware the case has “touched the hearts of knowledge of corruption allegations among people across the world” and that people are high-ranking Laval politicians and city staff, into the shooting death of an aboriginal man by Winnipeg police five years ago. eager to know how the deaths could have some of which led to arrests on criminal happened. charges in May. Craig McDougall was shot by police on Aug. 2, 2008, after they say he refused to drop “Our investigators are looking at all The call for candidates for the new chief aspects of this tragic incident, and that will a knife. was overseen by an outside firm, and the take some time,” he said of the investigation But some witnesses said the 26-year-old process included interviews by a selection into the deaths of Noah, 4, and Connor, 6. committee struck by the Commission man didn’t have a knife, just a cellphone. The case is still being treated as a criminal municipale. McDougall was also zapped with a Taser investigation. Tremblay told CBC News (CBC News) electronic stun gun. earlier Wednesday that the case is unique, and At the time of the shooting Manitoba will involve a learning process for native leaders asked the province to hold a investigators and the pathologists involved in THURSDAY public inquiry into McDougall’s death, but that the case. AUGUST 8, 2013 request was denied. (CBC News) Holding an inquest into deaths involving police is mandatory. Aug 08 2013 MONTREAL - The Montreal Police de- Aug 08 2013 partment is renting a building from a SAINT JOHN, N.B. - The prime minister convicted drug trafficker with ties to the says he hopes arrests made in the case Mafia. of Rehtaeh Parsons provide a measure of comfort to the teenage girl’s family.

Aug 08 2013 WINNIPEG - There won’t be a big pa- rade, but police will be celebrating their own Friday to mark National Peace- The building at 6665 Papineau St. in keepers Day. Rosemont-La Petite Patrie borough serves as The day celebrates the efforts of “administrative offices” for the Éclipse squad, Canadians who have gone or are on Stephen Harper says he was pleased to the Montreal police tactical unit set up to fight peacekeeping missions, including about 3,000 hear that progress is being made in the case of street-gang crime. Real estate records show the building is police officers, said Assistant Commissioner the 17-year-old Halifax girl, who died this year owned by the Armeni Family Trust, headed Kevin Brosseau, commanding officer of the following a suicide attempt in what her family says stemmed from cyberbullying after an by Vincenzo Armeni, who is serving a 19-year RCMP D division in Manitoba. prison term for his latest drug-trafficking Aug. 9 is a date of significance for alleged sexual assault. Speaking in Saint John where he was conviction, and his wife, Giuseppina peacekeepers; it’s the anniversary of the 1974 Vaccarello. touring the Irving Oil refinery, Harper said deaths of nine peacekeepers whose plane was The lease is up for renewal on Oct. 13. shot down over Syria. Rehtaeh’s death was a terrible tragedy that The Armenis have been the Montreal The day of commemoration also has touched people across Canada. Police’s landlord since 1998, when Natale significance for RCMP, who lost two members The RCMP and Halifax police arrested Armeni signed a 10-year lease with the now- in the 2010 Haiti earthquake while they were two males at their homes in Halifax at around defunct Montreal Urban Community to open serving on a peacekeeping mission. 8 a.m. today and took them into custody where a neighbourhood police station. Members of “This is something that’s obviously been they are being questioned. the family operated a bakery there until 1997. of importance and significance for the RCMP The Mounties did not release further The building housed Station 35 East until and for policing for a number of years, but information on the males arrested, including 2008, when the lease came up for renewal and that memorial took on a special significance their ages and what they were arrested for. the Montreal Police and the city of Montreal over the past few years,” Brosseau said. Rehtaeh’s mother, Leah Parsons, says she determined they no longer needed a station at The RCMP have a program in place that is hopeful the arrests lead to charges. that location.

7 Blue Line NEWS WEEK But they decided to exercise the first of was responsible for the file. However, three 2010, Lafrenière said. All service providers two five-year renewal options in the lease in employees of the administrative division of contracting with the Montreal Police are now order to use the building as an administrative the Montreal Police and their assistants checked, he added. office, according to a civil service report to examined the lease renewal and recommended “I might look stupid, but you have to the Montreal city executive committee, city in favour of it. remember that in 1998, there wasn’t a council and the island council that oversees Meanwhile, a borough report on the (Charbonneau Commission) and all that we’ve the police. building in 2009 spelled the family trust learned since.” The 2008 report said the station would be incorrectly as Arménie Family Trust. (Montreal Gazette) used for the Éclipse squad. The family trust had sought a zoning By then, Natale Armeni, a retiree, had exemption from the Rosemont-La Petite Patrie Aug 08 2013 ceded the Papineau building and a five-unit borough to allow three additional outdoor TORONTO - A coroner’s inquest into residential building in St-Léonard to the parking spaces next to the Papineau building the deaths of three people who were Armeni Family Trust. The 2005 and 2006 real to add to the nine existing spaces. shot by police has been scheduled for estate deeds related to the transfer name The police required the extra parking the fall. Vincenzo Armeni and Vaccarello as its spaces from their landlord as a condition of The coroner’s office says the inquest into trustees. renewal of the lease, the borough report said. the deaths of Reyal Jardine-Douglas, Sylvia The trust was created for the benefit of The street-gang unit required the extra parking Klibingaitis and Michael Eligon will begin the couple’s children, the deeds say. spaces, it said. Oct. 15 and last about eight weeks. The deeds don’t mention Natale Armeni’s Vaccarello was also involved in a condo All three may have had mental health relationship to Vincenzo Armeni. project on Côte des Neiges Rd. In August issues, and were shot and killed after According to police intelligence reports, 2012, the body of a man with a criminal record approaching Toronto police officers with Vincenzo Armeni has ties to the Montreal was found in a penthouse unit. At the time, weapons. Mafia. A 2008 parole board decision describes The Gazette reported that Vaccarello was the The inquest will examine the events Armeni’s “lifelong involvement in owner of a penthouse in the 10-storey building. surrounding their deaths and may lead to criminality,” one heavily tainted by his The newspaper also revealed that a numbered recommendations aimed at preventing similar “association with organized crime.” company registered to Vaccarello that was deaths. In the 1980s, Vincenzo Armeni was incorporated in 2005 sold the units in the The announcement comes on the heels of convicted with his uncle, Giuseppe Armeni, building. another police shooting that claimed the life for their roles in a major heroin-trafficking A high-ranking Montreal police officer of a Toronto teen. ring. At the time, Giuseppe Armeni was purchased a unit in Le Renoir from Sammy Yatim, 18, was killed on an empty described in police intelligence reports as Vaccarello’s company in May 2006. Police streetcar on July 27 in an incident that has being “very respected in organized crime, and Cmdr. Ian Lafrenière told The Gazette in sparked public outrage over police use of this by the very highest levels.” August 2012 the officer didn’t know that the force. Vincenzo Armeni was again convicted, owner of the unit he was buying was married along with his brother-in-law, Tonino to a member of the Mafia. The police officer Aug 08 2013 Callocchia, in 1998 for cocaine-smuggling. bought the unit from a numbered company and Charges have been approved against Callocchia was targeted and injured in a the owner’s name meant nothing to him, an RCMP officer involved in a shoot- shooting in a Laval restaurant parking lot in Lafrenière said. ing in Cranbrook, B.C., last year. February. At a 2003 parole hearing in that case, Armeni and Vaccarello’s home in Laval Const. Richard Drought is charged with Armeni convinced the National Parole Board is listed as Vaccarello’s residence on the lease intentionally discharging a firearm into a motor that he had severed his ties with the Mafia for she signed with the city of Montreal and the vehicle, knowing another person was inside. the sake of his children. police department in 2008. The Armeni Family He is also charged with intentionally Armeni was arrested again in 2006 on Trust is registered at the same address, the real discharging a firearm while being reckless as charges of trafficking 761 kilograms of cocaine estate records state. Armeni and Vaccarello are to the life or safety of another person. while he was still on parole. He was convicted the trustees authorized to act on behalf of the Drought is alleged to have fired at least and sentenced in October 2007 to 19 years in trust, the records say. one shot in October 2012 as he pursued an prison, the stiffest sentence ever given in Lafrenière said on Wednesday the SUV believed to have been involved in a Quebec at the time for drug trafficking. department doesn’t plan to renew the lease carjacking. A man in the suspect vehicle was He began serving that sentence in 2008, when it expires in October. The Éclipse squad injured, but he survived. when the 10-year sentence for his previous will be moved, he said, but the department is The province’s Independent Investigations conviction ended. still looking for a new location that meets the Office was called in to investigate. This is the According to news reports, Armeni was unit’s needs. first IIO case resulting in charges laid against under police surveillance before his 2006 The department became aware of the an officer. arrest. building landlord’s criminal record in 2010, (CBC News) Vincenzo Armeni isn’t mentioned in the Lafrenière said, but said he couldn’t discuss civil service documents that wended their way what prompted the check. The police remained through the Montreal Police department and in the building because there’s no clause in to the city and island councils in 2008 for the the lease they can use to break it, he said. lease renewal on the Papineau St. police The department would have continued station. paying rent until the end of the term even if it The documents include the lease, which had vacated the building, he said. Giuseppina Vaccarello signed as “It’s sad to pay rent to someone with a representative of the family trust. They also bad reputation,” Lafrenière said. “But it’s include a December 2008 authorization from worse to pay and not get anything for it. It’s the family trust for Vaccarello to sign the lease. taxpayer money.” The documents also include an early draft The Montreal Police didn’t do background of the lease, which names a different Armeni investigations on any building owner it family member as representative of the family contracted with before 2006, Lafrenière said. trust. That year, the department began doing checks The documents were prepared and signed only on new leases, he said. by civil servants with the city of Montreal’s The department began doing background real estate division, which the documents say checks on all leases, including renewals, in

8 Blue Line NEWS WEEK