Aug 23, 2013 – Vol. 18 No. 34 Toronto officer charged with second degree murder

Aug 15 2013 SASKATOON - The head of the Canadian Mental Health Commis- sion says good education and training will help police officers interact better with people who have mental health issues. Page 2

Aug 16 2013 TORONTO - The powerful Toronto Police Association has pulled out of the Police Association of On- tario in part because of the issue of lethal force. Page 5

Aug 19 2013 CALGARY - Calgary police are going ahead with plan to outfit of- ficers with body cameras and say they have become an effective Aug 19 2013 policing tool. TORONTO - A Toronto police officer come after Yatim had already fallen to the Page 8 is facing a rare murder charge in the floor of the streetcar and he is Tasered.

Aug 19 2013 death of a young man who was shot It’s not known how many of the shots hit multiple times while apparently wield- Yatim, but the Special Investigations Unit has WINNIPEG - Social media and out- ing a knife on an empty streetcar. said the young man was shot multiple times. dated laws hinder police dealing Const. James Forcillo was charged Mon- The videos sparked outrage and prompted with online crimes, says Vancou- day with second-degree murder in 18-year-old hundreds of people to take to the streets in two ver’s police chief. Sammy Yatim’s death last month. separate marches, demanding justice for Yatim. Page 10 The shooting was captured on cellphone Yatim’s sister took to Twitter to share her and surveillance video on which nine shots reaction to news of the charge. can be heard, seconds after shouts for Yatim Aug 21 2013 “The SIU charged the cop with 2nd degree to drop a knife. The final six shots appear to murder!!! Good morning JUSTICE,’’ tweeted OTTAWA - Ottawa police are set to begin a program in September aimed at reducing police involve- ment in mental health and addic- tion issues and upping their part- nerships with community groups to prevent crime. Page 14 Sarah Yatim. York Region Const. Randy Martin was respect reduced speed limits in construction If Forcillo is eventually convicted, it would acquitted in 2000 of second-degree murder zones is a serious, life-and-death issue and that be a first for an SIU charge in Ontario. Since for the shooting death of 44-year-old Tony violators will face serious consequences.’’ the agency’s inception in 1990, nine other po- Romagnuolo. Martin shot Romagnuolo four The current practice of requiring drivers to lice officers have been charged with second- times in a scuffle outside the man’s home af- slow down only when workers are present is degree murder or manslaughter, but none of ter police showed up to arrest his son. too problematic, Rebeck said. Instead, Mani- them were convicted. The Romagnuolos testified at the trial toba should have clear signs indicating where Forcillo has arranged through his lawyer that the officers pulled their guns and began a construction zone begins and ends, as well to turn himself in Tuesday morning, at which shooting during fist fights. Martin said his life as whether there are workers present. time he will be taken into custody and appear hung in the balance as he fought for control Saskatchewan has brought in rumble strips in court, the SIU said in a statement. of his gun. The son was also shot by another and gates on major projects to alert drivers Since the officer has received threats, the officer, but he survived. that they are entering a construction area. SIU would not say where Forcillo will surren- McCormack cited Cavanagh’s case as an Manitoba should do the same, he suggested. der himself. Toronto Police Association Presi- example of why the public shouldn’t rush to The federation is also calling for inspec- dent Mike McCormack said he is concerned judgment against Forcillo. tion blitzes to remind employers that safety for Forcillo’s safety in and out of custody. “Our officer should be judged in this in- rules will be enforced and more digital boards “We’re always concerned when one of cident based on what the facts and the evi- equipped with radar that let drivers know our officers goes before the courts or gets re- dence are, not just a video or not just what how fast they are going. manded in custody,’’ McCormack said. somebody saw on YouTube, but looking at “We’ll ensure just like anybody else that the larger, bigger picture,’’ McCormack said. Aug 15 2013 somebody who’s vulnerable is protected... In addition to the SIU’s investigation, To- WINNIPEG - A police drug raid in We’ve had death threats against this officer.’’ ronto’s police chief has said retired justice downtown Winnipeg has led to co- Peter Brauti, the lawyer representing Dennis O’Connor will lead a separate review caine trafficking charges against a Forcillo, could not immediately be reached of police procedures, use of force and police 12-year-old boy. for comment. But McCormack spoke to response to emotionally disturbed people in Police say officers seized crack cocaine, Forcillo and said though he wasn’t surprised the wake of Sammy Yatim’s death. drug paraphernalia and $1,200 cash during by the charge, he was disappointed. Chief Bill Blair has said he understands the the raid Wednesday afternoon. “He’s obviously upset about the charge, public has many questions about police con- Six people were arrested and face posses- the nature of the charge, concerned about it,’’ duct in Yatim’s case and has said O’Connor’s sion and drug trafficking charges. McCormack said. “It’s definitely had an ad- review will be “extraordinary’’ in its scope. The 12-year-old boy is also charged with verse impact on his life.’’ Ontario’s ombudsman has also launched possessing the proceeds of crime and failing to The SIU has investigated more than 100 an investigation, probing what kind of direc- comply with previous court-ordered conditions. firearm deaths since 1990. tion the provincial government provides to He remains in custody at the Manitoba Forcillo is the third to be charged with police for defusing conflict situations. Youth Centre. second-degree murder. One of the other of- Andre Marin has said Yatim’s shoot- A 33-year-old woman, 28-year-old woman, ficers was acquitted, while the second had ing raises the question of whether it’s time 18-year-old man, 17-year-old boy and 16-year- his charge dismissed, though that decision is for Ontario to have consistent and uniform old girl are all facing drug-related charges. under appeal. guidelines on how police should de-escalate Seven police officers have been charged situations before they lead to the use of force. Aug 15 2013 with manslaughter in Ontario since 1990 OTTAWA - Police have wrapped an in- - three of them for the same death - and all vestigation that has led to more than were acquitted. Not all were firearm deaths. Thursday 100 charges being laid against 20 peo- August 15, 2013 ple after marijuana grow-ops and traf- fickers were targeted in the Ottawa area. The three-month investigation called Aug 15 2013 “Project Power Plant’’ also involved the work WINNIPEG - Manitoba’s federation of of the OPP, Ottawa Fire Services and the ISSN 1704-3913 Copyright 2013 labour is urging the province to crack Canada Border Services Agency. Blue Line Magazine Inc. & The Canadian Press down on speeding in construction Police say 12 search warrants were execut- Permission to reprint may be obtained in advance from zones following the death of a 21-year- ed in Ottawa and surrounding jurisdictions. Access Copyright Phone 1-800-893-5777 [email protected] old highway flag worker. Sgt. Mike Laviolette says the project “sig- In an open letter to Labour Minister Jen- nificantly disrupted the illicit production’’ of Published weekly by Blue Line Magazine, Inc. as an executive news briefing service to Canada’s top level law enforcement personnel. nifer Howard on Thursday, the federation marijuana in the Ottawa region. highlighted the 2010 death of Brittany Mur- Police say they’ve seized more than Most information supplied in this publication is from news- wire services. As such Blue Line Magazine does not ac- ray, who was killed by a driver going nearly $6.8 million worth of marijuana, more than cept responsibility for the accuracy of articles as supplied. double the speed limit. $35,000 in cash, a 12 gauge shotgun, a cross-

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, Michael Blostein, 79, was found not guilty bow, various types of ammunition and body stored in an electronic database or transmitted in any form or by of dangerous driving earlier this year. The armour over the course of the investigation. any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with- out the prior permission of the publishers. One Year Subscriptions verdict is being appealed. are $10500 (GST Included). Paid subscribers may make up to four “We have a serious problem in Manitoba Aug 15 2013 (4) copies of this publication for distribution within their organization. if driving that fast in a construction zone is SASKATOON - The head of the Cana- Group Publisher: Morley S. Lymburner considered to be the reasonable community dian Mental Health Commission says PUBLISHER: Kathryn M. Lymburner - [email protected] standard,’’ wrote federation president Kevin NEWS EDITOR: Mark Reesor - [email protected] good education and training will help Subscriptions: Blue Line Store at www.BlueLine.ca Rebeck. police officers interact better with peo- ADVERTISING: 1-888-640-3048 12A-4981 Hwy. 7 East, Ste. 254, Markham ON L3R 1N1 “It is essential that the province send a clear ple who have mental health issues. Phone: 905 640-3048 eMail: [email protected] message to Manitoba drivers that failure to But Louise Bradley also cautions there’s 2 3 no easy answer. “He was dropping manure into the spa of The border agency and the federal govern- “There isn’t, unfortunately, one thing that his ex-wife, and at the front door,’’ Pare said ment have both defended “Border Security,’’ will fix it all,’’ said Bradley. “It is a variety of Thursday. which is now in its second season of filming. things and a very complex issue.’’ Police tried to head him off with their pa- (Whitehorse Star) Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill says trol car, which got hit. it’s one of the biggest policing problems that “He wouldn’t stop,’’ Pare said. Aug 15 2013 has emerged in the last 10 to 15 years. “He continued on with his tractor.’’ VANCOUVER - B.C.’s coroner service “We’re dealing with homeless people. We’re The man allegedly chugged away from the has confirmed a former RCMP spokes- dealing with people who have mental health/ scene, with officers in pursuit. man who became the public face of addiction problems,’’ he said. “People call us. “It was a low-speed (chase),’’ Pare said. the force in the early days of the Rob- We end up putting intoxicated people in our “About 20 kilometres an hour.’’ ert Dziekanski story died by suicide. detention areas. They don’t belong there. Police got the tractor pulled over about a Pierre Lemaitre died on July 29 after he was “It’s a health issue, not a crime issue.’’ kilometre away - but the man allegedly re- found hanging in his home in Abbotsford. A coroner’s inquest is scheduled this fall sisted arrest and slightly injured one officer. A news release from the coroner says into the deaths of three people with pos- The man was arraigned that afternoon in emergency personnel attended Lemaitre’s sible mental health issues who were shot by court in Joliette. home, but could not resuscitate him. Toronto police. Lemaitre was the force’s spokesman in the “I think that there is a lack of understand- Aug 15 2013 days following Dziekanski’s death at Van- ing overall of mental health problems and ill- WHITEHORSE - The RCMP has sus- couver’s airport, where the Polish man was nesses, but that’s not just for police officers. pended production of a reality TV stunned with a Taser during a confrontation That unfortunately is the case in many areas, show documenting the work of the with the RCMP. including health care itself,’’ said Bradley. force in Canada’s North amid com- The Mounties, and Lemaitre in particular, “It’s something that isn’t well understood.’’ plaints about the privacy of citizens faced allegations they misled the public af- Bradley is a registered nurse with a mas- featured on the show and suggestions ter an amateur video emerged of the incident ter’s of science degree specializing in mental it’s inappropriate for police officers to that appeared to contradict what Lemaitre had health. She has worked on the front line and star in a television program. told reporters. in mental health care in corrections. U.S.-based production company True En- Commissioner Thomas Braidwood, who She said the lack of understanding of men- tertainment began filming the show in White- led a public inquiry into Dziekanski’s death, tal health illness puzzles her. horse earlier this week, though community concluded Lemaitre was “well-intentioned’’ “I’ve been in mental health for about 30 groups had already been raising the alarm and was doing his best to inform the public years and while I’m encouraged that this is a about it. in the early stages of an investigation that had time when we are taking about mental health Last week, RCMP spokesman David Gil- yet to determine the facts. more openly than we ever have before, I still bert was publicly defending the show as a don’t understand why it is that there is such chance to tell “good stories,’’ adding the force Aug 15 2013 stigma attached to it,’’ she said. was aware of the concerns but had taken steps WANHAM, Alta. - A suspect has been “There’s virtually none of us that are not to ensure proper oversight before the program arrested after an RCMP officer was at- impacted in some way, either ourselves, a went to air. tacked during a traffic stop on a north- family member or a close friend or a work But on Thursday, after complaints surfaced ern Alberta highway. colleague. And yet it’s shrouded in secrecy, in media reports about an arrest of a dis- RCMP say a man was arrested Thursday it’s shrouded in shame and embarrassment.’’ traught woman who was taken into custody afternoon but would not release further de- Bradley said she hopes that at the end of under the watch of television cameras, the tails. the conference there will be “clear, discern- force abruptly announced filming had been The Spirit River RCMP officer that was as- ible action items’’ to help mental health work- suspended. saulted is said to be in stable condition and is ers collaborate with police. The RCMP issued a statement Thursday af- speaking. Education and training is just a start, she said. ternoon saying it would be discussing the con- The officer had been called to reports of an “But it isn’t as simple as saying ‘OK, we’re cerns with the production company and there erratic driver near Wanham, about 100 kilo- going to go in and give you a day’s (education) would be no filming in the meantime, though metres north of Grande Prairie. and then you know how to do it,’ ‘’ she said. it wasn’t sure how long that would take and The suspect vehicle was stopped when the “In the same way that we do CPR training when, or if, production would resume. altercation took place, but then fled. and we have to get re-certified every year, it’s Both the RCMP and True Entertainment Additional RCMP officers arrived at the something that’s ongoing.’’ have previously said that if a person does not scene and the injured officer was flown to a sign a waiver after he or she is filmed, the local area hospital by air ambulance. Aug 15 2013 footage will not go to air. MONTREAL - It was an alleged fecal Similar concerns have been raised about Aug 15 2013 felony, with a plodding police pursuit. the reality TV show “Border Security,’’ TORONTO - Citizens have a right to A Quebec man is accused of dumping heaps which follows the work of the Canada Bor- film police but must comply with of- of manure into his ex-wife’s jacuzzi and onto der Services Agency. The B.C. Civil Liberties ficer commands, Ontario’s Special her doorstep in the wake of a marital rift. Society has led the charge against that show, Investigations Unit has concluded in An ensuing low-speed police chase with claiming the RCMP is violating privacy leg- clearing Toronto police in an arrest the man’s tractor has swamped him in an even islation by allowing members of the public to that left a hotel guest with a broken rib deeper legal mess, with four criminal charges. be filmed without their consent. and other injuries. Quebec provincial police were called to a On “Border Security,’’ members of the “There is no law that I am aware of that home in Ste-Emelie-de-l’Energie on a mis- public, including people who are arrested or prohibits citizens from recording police ac- chief complaint Tuesday. Sgt. Gino Pare, a turned away from the border, still appear on tivity in public areas,” SIU director Ian Scott spokesman for the force, said they found the the show if they don’t sign the waiver, but said in a news release. man raising a stink with a tractor. their faces are blurred. “However, the right to record police 4 activity should not be confused with the and get on solid footing. Aug 16 2013 authority of the police to require citizens The Heritage Centre’s CEO welcomed CAMROSE - A Camrose woman, who to comply with lawful commands to con- the province’s one-time grant of $100,000 alleged an Alberta sheriff assaulted her trol a disorderly situation.” announced Thursday — even though it fell during a routine traffic stop, has now Karl Andrus of St. Catharines, a 35-year- short of the $200,000 that centre executives been charged herself with assaulting a old dispatcher for an IT company with no had requested. peace officer and resisting arrest. criminal record, recorded video on his smart- The provincial money, along with a match- The charges, from Aug. 3 near Camrose, phone of arrests of two members of a fam- ing $100,000 and tax exemption from the are assault and resisting arrest and obstruct- ily at Toronto’s Sheraton Centre Hotel on the City of Regina, will assist with the centre’s ing/ resisting a peace officer. night of Aug. 29, 2012. operating costs in the 2013-14 fiscal year. The accused was to be in Camrose court Karl Andrus of St. Catharines was arrested The centre is working with the city’s cul- Aug. 14, but the court appearance was put and injured while trying to make video of ture department and SaskCulture’s Commu- over until Sept. 18. an arrest of a young Sheraton hotel guest on nity Initiatives Fund on an ongoing basis to Meanwhile, the sheriff, whose name has not Aug. 29, 2012. zoom secure future funding. yet been released, has been put on desk duty. After a couple of minutes of recording The goal of the independent, non-profit The sheriff was taken off of traffic duty from an area where other hotel guests were charitable organization is to develop a world- soon after the initial allegations were made. also standing — and some of them making class heritage, tourist and educational facility, At the same time, the City of Wetaskiwin recordings as well — Andrus was told by an but first the centre must get its financial house confirmed that the sheriff involved in the al- officer that he’d “filmed enough” and was in in order. leged incident works out of the Wetaskiwin the way, and was told by police repeatedly to In January, it was projected the Heritage RCMP detachment, but responding to specu- move back. Centre would carry a three-year projected defi- lation on social media, the city distanced it- Andrus, who is suing police over what cit of $139,000, but that figure was based on self from the matter. came next and whose story was featured in the province ponying up $200,000 this year. In a press release, Wetaskiwin communica- the Star, said he felt he had the right to be On holidays in Prince Edward Island, tions coordinator John Vandenbeld states, where he was and continue recording. Nicholson couldn’t put a figure on the revised “The sheriff involved is not a City of Andrus moved back to where he started his deficit on Thursday. Wetaskiwin peace officer. City of Wetaski- filming, again, with other guests beside him. In 2011, the Toronto-based firm TCI Man- win peace officers are not involved in traffic After being warned he would be arrested, an agement Consultants released a report urg- operations and have no authority outside city officer approached him and started moving ing the Centre’s board of directors to move boundaries. him back. forward with a new governance model so the “The sheriff involved is in no way con- At one point in the video, Andrus, smart- centre didn’t continue to run yearly deficits. nected with the City of Wetaskiwin. The City phone in one hand, raises his other arm. One of the report’s recommendations was of Wetaskiwin policing contract is with the The SIU concluded that the arm motion that the federal government or the RCMP buy RCMP, and the alleged perpetrator is an Al- was “aggressive” and justified a subsequent the building back for $1. berta sheriff, who reports to Alberta Justice takedown by a number of officers that left The Heritage Centre’s board of directors and Solicitor General – a provincial govern- Andrus with bruises, bumps, an abrasion on accepted the proposed governance model in ment ministry. his head and a broken rib. principle so the city, province and the feds — (Camrose Canadian) The arresting officer, Const. Jeffery Riel, through the RCMP — would have flexibility had the “lawful authority to arrest him for as to how they could help the centre close the Aug 16 2013 assaulting a peace officer. As well, other of- funding gap, Nicholson said. TORONTO - The powerful Toronto Po- ficers had the authority to assist in - thatar Currently, the Heritage Centre is looking lice Association has pulled out of the rest,” Scott said in an unusually lengthy and at a way to continue to own and operate the Police Association of Ontario in part detailed statement released Thursday. building. Using current market rates, it is because of the issue of lethal force. “Given Mr. Andrus’ resistance, I am of the negotiating a new lease agreement with the view that the involved officers did not use ex- RCMP. The RCMP rents space in the centre cessive force in effecting this lawful arrest. for its employees in the Historic Collections Accordingly, I have no reasonable grounds to Unit and to house its collection of exhibits. believe that the subject officer committed a “The plan is to have this finished within the criminal offence.” next six weeks,” Nicholson said. Scott said “the subject officer (Riel) was On another front, the Heritage Centre has attempting to control a difficult situation, signed a letter of intent with the Canadian and had the lawful authority to require Mr. Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. Andrus to step away from the arrest scene “We want to do more and bigger and better whether or not he was video-recording the things with them and we’re working on sign- The TPA, representing 7,800 sworn officers, involved officers’ actions.” ing another letter of intent with the Mounted is going it alone because “we deal with a lot of (Toronto Star) Police Foundation that will give us the oppor- issues that are unique to Toronto,” says presi- tunity to work on bigger projects with them dent Mike McCormack. The most prominent friday across the country,” Nicholson said. “When of those issues right now — “on the front of August 16, 2013 all of these things get in place, we will be every newspaper” — is the police shooting of talking to some people with private money 18-year-old Sammy Yatim, he says. who are interested in supporting the heritage McCormack says while fatal police shoot- Aug 16 2013 centre, but what they want to know first is that ings happen in other communities too, the REGINA - As funding starts to fall into we have some financial stability.” “volume of calls” in Toronto puts that asso- place, Al Nicholson becomes more op- (Regina Leader Post) ciation in a unique position. timistic that the RCMP Heritage Centre “Our board felt that we were taking a little will climb out of the financial doldrums bit of a different direction” than the provincial 5 association, says McCormack. He would not different dynamics going on — it’s not just submitted requests, which have been increas- elaborate. because people are frustrated or upset.” ing in volume and complexity. Sgt. Greg Cox The TPA announced it was leaving at the Mandamin said the board’s recent meet- maintained the force is “diligently working end of July. It is now the only association in ing with representatives of the Public Service towards increasing our efficiency.” Ontario not to belong to the provincial group. Alliance of Canada, which represents Treaty Legault said she has witnessed a slow cor- The TPA is the fourth largest municipal Three Police officers, went well. rosion of the access system, especially over police association in North America, after Although concerns were raised about the the past four months. Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The future of the Treaty Three Police after some Her grim viewpoint is based primarily on the Ontario Provincial Police Association, On- officers were laid off, the Treaty Three Police complaints her office receives and analyzes. tario’s second largest police union, is now the Service board executive announced in early “What I’ve seen last year was really the biggest member of the provincial association, July that it does not intend to close down the clear signs of deterioration across the sys- which is still more than 25,000 front line of- police service. tem,” she recently told Global News. “Since ficers strong without Toronto. “It is not nor ever will be the desire of the the beginning of this fiscal year (April 1), Dave McFadden, president of the PAO, board of directors, executive or our member- there has been a 50 per cent increase in the says the association has been undergoing “a representative communitties to close our po- number of complaints.” strategic review” of its operations for the first lice service,” the board executive said in a In one week this month, 80 complaints time in its 81-year history. The TPA told the press release. landed on Legault’s desk – a rate she says she association it didn’t agree with the new direc- Meanwhile, Alberta Regional Chief Cam- hasn’t witnessed in the four years she’s held tion it was taking. eron Alexis said First Nation police services the post. “We’ll continue to talk with Toronto on a are in a state of crisis because they have not While Legault looks to the flow of com- case-by-case basis,” says McFadden. received a substantial increase in funding lev- plaints as one indicator of the state of affairs McFadden would not say how much the lost els since 2007. for access to information, what she’s seen membership dues from Toronto amounts to. “The federal government’s commitment to with the national police force is unprecedent- (Hamilton Spectator) maintain the previous funding levels for the ed, she said. next five years is a positive step but it does “There’s actually an institution that’s com- Aug 16 2013 not address the chronic underfunding of these pletely stopped responding. Just stopped re- The top three Treaty Three Police essential services for First Nation communi- sponding to requesters,” she said. “And this chiefs have resigned. ties,” Alexis said. is not a small institution. It’s a big institution Chief of Police Conrad DeLaronde’s res- “Despite limited resources, our police ser- that gets a lot of requests and that has been ignation is effective this coming November, vices continue to provide their communities performing somewhat steadily over the years.” Deputy Chief of Police Larry Indian’s resig- with above average results. Ongoing limita- This, she said, is failing to respect the most ba- nation is effective at the end of August and tions on adequate funding will compromise sic obligations of the access to information laws. Deputy Chief of Police Terry Armstrong has the level of service provided in the future.” Canada’s access laws give all Canadians accepted a position with Nishnawbe Aski Po- (Wawatay News) the right to access records the government lice Service (NAPS). holds, subject to certain exemptions; the laws “Armstrong went to NAN; he’s the police Aug 16 2013 have been described as essential to democrat- chief there now,” said Treaty Three Police OTTAWA – Canada’s national police ic accountability. Service Board Chairman Eli Mandamin. force is violating the rights of some Despite those certain exemptions, federal “We’re dealing with about three signatures, Canadians trying to access RCMP institutions are legally obliged to acknowledge but there’s no crisis, there’s no urgency.” documents, according to the coun- receipt of the request and confirm it will be Mandamin was appointed as board chair- try’s information watchdog. processed and responded to within 30 days. man along with new board executive mem- The act permits for extensions beyond the bers during the Treaty Three Police annual initial 30 days, within reason. Any requester general meeting on July 23. who feels their rights under the act have not Mandamin said the board is “working been honoured can complain to Legault’s of- hands-on” with the resignations, noting a fice, which can take departments to court, but board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14 in doesn’t have the power to compel any action. Fort Frances. The RCMP, however, hasn’t even been “As chiefs, we don’t belong on these cor- completing the first step of the process, ne- porate boards but we’ve been asked to step glecting to send receipts of acknowledge- up to clean things up and sort things out so Access to Information Commissioner Su- ment, Legault said. we can turn it over to the band members zanne Legault says over the past months her RCMP spokesman Cox said the RCMP once we’ve finished sorting things out,” office began receiving complaints from in- have not stopped responding to requests. Mandamin said. dividuals saying they were not hearing back “The RCMP is fully committed to meeting “We’re working in sectors and doing due from the RCMP after filing access to informa- our obligations under the Access to Informa- diligence and we’ll sit down with the chief of tion requests. tion Act and Privacy Act. All requests are tak- police when it is time to deal with his resig- “This past year at some point, they just en seriously and dealt with in a professional nation. He might even extend it beyond three completely stopped responding,” Legault manner,” he said. months, just to work with us. Everything is said of the RCMP. “Requesters were com- The RCMP approved increased funding still quite open.” plaining to my office, but we didn’t even have and staffing levels for the access to informa- Mandamin said the three resignations are any response from the institution.” tion branch this past March, Cox said, but not likely due to upcoming deadlines for their The commissioner plans to reveal details all positions have been filled. pension plans. about this in her next annual report, sched- (Global News) “They won’t be eligible as of September uled for release Sept. 16. 1,” Mandamin said. “You have to bail out by In an email, an RCMP spokesman said Aug 16 2013 the end of August to be eligible. So there’s they are actively working to respond to all The suspect accused of killing peace 6 officer Rod Lazenby as he investigat- An analysis of Hall’s driving record, along impaired driver near Grande Cache northwest ed a dog complaint on a Priddis prop- with Twitter posts in which he discussed how of Jasper. Mounties said the man behind the erty a year ago still is without a lawyer. fast he liked to drive, persuaded prosecutors wheel was shot and wounded during an alter- Trevor Kloschinsky, 47, told Court of to change the charge to murder, the Alam- cation. He fled but was caught a short time Queen’s Bench Justice Ged Hawco on Fri- eda County district attorney’s office told the later and taken to hospital. day he has spoked with Legal Aid but has not Chronicle. Family later identified the injured man as been given an answer on whether he will be Curtis Hallock, a regular sidekick on the real- appointed counsel for his trial. Aug 16 2013 ity TV show “Mantracker.’’ Crown prosecutor Mac Vomberg told Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has a The following day, RCMP in Leduc, just court that assigned prosecutor Jim Sawa has new chief. south of Edmonton, used a Taser while try- been attempting to assist the accused, who is Terry Armstrong takes the helm on Sept. 3, ing to arrest a suspect in a series of assaults, charged with first-degree murder in relation filling the seat that has been filled by acting thefts, driving complaints and hit-and-runs. to the death of the officer, who was working chief Robert Herman since January, NAPS’ The 27-year-old went into medical distress for the M.D. of Foothills. board of directors announced on Thursday. while in handcuffs and later died in hospital. Kloschinsky has been without legal repre- Armstrong spent most of his policing ca- That same weekend, an officer pulled over sentation since parting ways with his lawyer reer with the Ontario Provincial Police in another suspected impaired driver near Ma on July 19. Northwestern Ontario, and served as a First Me O Beach on Pigeon Lake southwest of The case was adjourned to Aug. 30 for an Nation constable at Pikangikum for three Edmonton. update on whether he has counsel. years prior to joining the OPP. RCMP said while the officer tried to arrest According to an information to obtain a He served many years in the Northwest Pa- one of five men inside the car, there was an al- search warrant, just released by the court this trol and served secondments to First Nation tercation and two of the occupants were shot. week, Kloschinsky lay in wait for three days policing, including acting chief of the Lac A 30-year-old man from Pigeon Lake died at in a Quonset on the rural Priddis property Seul Police Service. the scene. His 41-year-old brother was taken where he lived in order to catch the person he After retiring from the OPP in 2010, Arm- to hospital with chest wounds. believed was responsible for stealing his dogs. strong served as deputy chief of operations According to the document, when Lazenby for Treaty Three Police Service, a position he arrived on Aug. 10, 2012, Kloschinsky got will hold until the end of this month. saturday into a fight with him. Kloschinsky overpow- “(Armstrong) has extensive experience in August 17, 2013 ered and restrained the officer with two sets a wide variety of operational and administra- of handcuffs attached to some safety chains tive areas, including several years as a com- Aug 17 2013 in the Quonset. mand officer, and has an in-depth knowledge Kloschinsky, according to the document, of the issues and challenges facing First Na- MISSION, B.C. - British Columbia is showed up at the Calgary Police Service’s tions policing in Northern and remote com- the latest province with a snake prob- District 8 office a short time later with Lazen- munities,” board chairman Frank McKay said lem as officers discovered and eutha- by’s bruised, bloodied and heavily scratched in a news release. nized nearly 50 illegal pythons in a body in the back of the marked municipal dis- Herman will continue his stint as acting small town home. trict vehicle. chief until Armstrong completes a brief ori- Insp. Chris Doyle of the B.C. Conserva- Police attempted to give him CPR, but entation session in September. NAPS’ deputy tion Officer Service said they were called to Lazenby was pronounced dead an hour later chief is Roland Morrison. a house in Mission, B.C., on Thursday while after being rushed to Rockyview General NAPS is the largest First Nations police the tenant who owned the snakes was being Hospital. service in Canada and the second-largest in evicted. No cause of death has ever been released North America, employing more than 130 Officers discovered 46 reticulated pythons by police, but officers searched the property uniform officers and 30 civilians. which are prohibited under the province’s the next day looking for DNA, blood, hair, a NAPS polices 35 communities across Wildlife Act without a permit - the longest rubber mat, fire extinguisher, sledgehammer, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation territory, which en- snake was just over four metres in length. cellphone, glasses, handcuffs, chains, an ani- compasses nearly two-thirds of Ontario. Doyle said nobody had a permit at the mal cage and a pole used for catching dogs. (Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal) house, which is located in a residential area (Calgary Herald) within a couple blocks of a school. Aug 16 2013 The report came in the same day that 40 Aug 16 2013 COLD LAKE, Alta. - RCMP have shot pythons were seized at a Brantford, Ont., PLEASANTON, Calif. - An 18-year-old and killed a man on a reserve in north- motel room. accused of killing a bicyclist with his eastern Alberta. Aug 17 2013 car has had a vehicular manslaughter It’s the third death this month involving charge upgraded to murder in part be- Mounties in the province. HALIFAX - Community members of all cause he boasted about speeding on The 52-year-old was shot at a home on the stripes joined together in Nova Scotia Twitter, prosecutors said Thursday. Cold Lake First Nation’s reserve on Thursday this weekend to tackle the problem of Cody Hall, of Pleasanton, was being held and was pronounced dead in hospital. bullying. without bail after he was charged Wednesday “RCMP officers were at the residence to Nearly 500 participants - including youth, with the murder of 58-year-old Diana Herse- execute an arrest warrant on the individual parents, educators, government officials and voort, the San Francisco Chronicle and Oak- when a confrontation took place,’’ said a po- representatives from community organiza- land Tribune reported. lice news release. tions - gathered at Mount Saint Vincent Uni- Hall was going more than 80 mph in a 40 The Alberta Serious Incident Response versity in Halifax on Friday and Saturday to mph zone when he hit Hersevoort and her Team was at the scene Friday. take part in Nova Scotia’s first anti-bullying husband along a busy boulevard in Dublin on The unit is also investigating the other two leadership conference. June 9, prosecutors allege. Hersevoort’s hus- deaths and a non-fatal shooting in recent weeks. The aim of the conference - called Speak Up - band only broke an arm, but she was killed. On Aug. 1, RCMP pulled over a suspected was to bring together and promote co-operation 7 between people affected by bullying and pictures of the riot and say they plan to Aug 19 2013 those who are working to prevent it. make more arrests. VANCOUVER – A Vancouver, Wash- The two-day event also served as a plat- (CTV News) ington man who attempted to skip out form for the Nova Scotia government’s an- on a $20 restaurant bill Sunday was nouncement of new resources released to caught after he left his wallet behind, students and parents coping with bullying, monday according to the Columbian. cyberbullying and sexual violence. August 19, 2013 Police said 31-year-old Adam Thomas of The province also has also announced it Vancouver refused to pay his $20 bill at the will be launching a website in September for El Presidente Restaurant. Instead, Thomas young people to anonymously inform their Aug 19 2013 told police that he showed a knife and fled school principals of instances of bullying. TORONTO - The Ontario Safety League the scene. Marilyn More - the minister responsible for says it is far too easy to buy crack- Thomas left his wallet at the restaurant. the action team on sexual violence and bully- pipes, marijuana grinders and other Vancouver police arrested him less than half ing - says she hopes the anti-bullying leader- drug paraphernalia in convenience an hour later. ship conference will become an annual event. stores across the province. Thomas was charged with suspicion of first- degree robbery and an outstanding warrant. Sunday (KGW) August 18, 2013 Aug 19 2013 CALGARY - Calgary police are going Aug 18 2013 ahead with plan to outfit officers with Police in Quebec are blaming social body cameras and say they have be- media for a riot that broke out after a come an effective policing tool. rock concert north of Montreal, late Saturday night. The non-profit charity says what it calls a growing trend to sell items clearly intended for smoking illegal drugs like pot and crack cocaine is a “serious public safety issue.’’ Safety League president Brian Patterson says his staff easily purchased dozens of drug-related items at convenience stores in big and small cities from Windsor to Corn- wall, including Toronto, Ottawa, St. Catha- rines and Guelph. A pilot project was started in November Police arrested 19 people after a crowd re- Patterson says it’s irresponsible and illegal 2012 and 50 of the cameras were given to fused to leave a music festival following an for corner stores to openly sell items that en- a variety of units within the Calgary Police outdoor performance by rock band “Les Trois able drug use right beside candy and milk. Service to try out. Accords” in the city of Blainville - located Aug 19 2013 Investigators with Quebec’s The micro-cameras are activated when of- around 40 kilometres north of Montreal. provincial police are heading to Nunavik ficers respond to a call or come across an in- According to Blainville police, the crowd Monday after local police officers shot and cident requiring investigation. grew and the scene escalated after news of the killed a man in Akulivik Saturday evening. So far, the cameras have captured about violence was put on social media. Officers with the local Kativik regional po- 2700 videos including footage of intoxicated “They want to be cool,” Stephane Giguere lice force were called to a home in Akulivik, persons, assaults, traffic offences, impaired of the Blainville police told CTV Montreal. on the shores of Hudson Bay, after someone driving, homicide investigations and flood “They want to be seen on Facebook.” reported hearing gunshots on Saturday. related duties this summer. Rioters flipped over a police car and set it on Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Audrey- The footage can be stored for at least 13 fire. They also tossed bottles and other objects Anne Bilodeau says the officers came under months and up to 25 years depending on the at officers on the scene. At the height of the gunfire when they got to the house. investigation. riot, police say 1,000 people were involved. “When they arrived, at least one shot Police say that in some cases the videos have A Blainville spokesperson said alcohol was fired at a police officer,” Bilodeau said. led to early case resolutions and convictions. may also have played a role. “We’re talking about [a] slight injury.” The police service will expand the program “We had a lot of cans of beers on the floor, Another officer reportedly fired back, kill- in a phased in approach. (CTV News) on the sidewalks,” Yves Meunier said. ing the 54-year-old suspect. Bilodeau says it Blainville police called in reinforcements appears another person was injured before Aug 19 2013 from neighbouring municipalities to deal with police arrived at the home. the riot. In total, 80 officers were on scene. “[Police] were responding to a call about VANCOUVER - Three men accused of The riot was brought to an end at around 2 gunshots, and the suspect had fired on some- participating in a gang-related massa- a.m. Sunday. one, and this person is now in critical condi- cre at an apartment building in 2007 All of the arrested suspects were between tion,” Bilodeau said. will be tried in Vancouver this Septem- the ages of 14 and 22, and 10 were minors. This incident comes a few months after ber, and not the suburban city of New The suspects were released on a promise two officers with the Kativik force were shot, Westminster, B.C. to appear in court at a later time. They face in March, responding to a domestic dispute in Associate Chief Justice Austin Cullen has multiple charges, including charges related to the Northern Quebec town of Kuujjuaq. One moved the Sept. 16 trial citing “the efficiency mischief, arson and participating in a riot. of the two police officers, 27-year-old Steve of the trial and the ability to control its process.’’ Police are combing social media for Déry, later died in hospital. Jamie Bacon, one of three brothers who po- (CBC News) lice have linked 8 to Vancouver’s gang war and who was also can get those amendments properly drafted Stephen Huggett, who is 59, was sentenced charged in the case, will be tried separately, and before Parliament in the coming ses- to nine months in jail for possession of child although no date has yet been set. sion,’’ he said. pornography in 2009. The killings, known as the “Surrey Six’’ A report commissioned after the suicide of He was recently charged under the 1992 murders, occurred Oct.19, 2007 and police a Nova Scotia teen said there should be a law Criminal Code with invitation to sexual have previously said four of the victims were against distributing intimate photos without touching and sexual interference with a child targeted. someone’s consent. under 14. But 22-year-old Chris Mohan, a resident of Ottawa, the provinces and territories re- Huggett lives in the community of Willow the tower, and 55-year-old Ed Schellenberg, a leased a report in July that said the law as Park across the street from two elementary maintenance worker, were in the wrong place it stands doesn’t go far enough to protect schools and a daycare. at the wrong time. victims of this type of online exploitation. Over the weekend, Justice Minister Jona- Dennis Karbovanec pleaded guilty in April MacKay was also asked Monday to weigh than Denis went door-to-door to speak with 2009 to three counts of second-degree murder in on another report, this one from the Cana- residents, and says he hopes Huggett will vol- and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder dian Bar Association. untarily move. in the slayings. The group released a report Sunday that Denis says people are afraid. described access to justice in Canada as “People are well aware of this issue in the Aug 19 2013 “abysmal.’’ It said the harshest consequences area and realistically we do have to leave SASKATOON - Justice Minister Pe- would be on the poorest people. matters before the courts, for the courts to de- ter MacKay is talking about cracking Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice cide,’’ Denis said. down on drunk driving, sexual preda- Beverley McLachlin, who also spoke at the “But there is nothing stopping the offend- tors and cyberbullying, while doing conference, described access to justice is a er in this case from voluntarily relocating, more to help victims. growing problem for many Canadians. which is what I’m asking him to do.’’ Peoples’ lives can be ruined if they can’t get Huggett is currently out on bail with strict con- access to justice, McLachlin said Saturday. ditions. His next court appearance is Aug. 29. Among other things, the report calls for “When you’re living across the street from more federal funding for civil legal aid. a playground, a busy playground, a busy Report author Melina Buckley said the fed- school that’s going to have many children are eral government can’t say how much it con- available, it is concerning,’’ Denis said. tributes to civil legal aid because the amount “Law-abiding people have the right to feel is included in overall funding to provinces safe and be free of fear, and not always be and the decisions on how to spend the money looking over their shoulders.’’ is made at the provincial level. But those who work with sex offenders say MacKay made the comments in his first MacKay said the federal government has putting the spotlight on them doesn’t help. speech to the Canadian Bar Association since increased the money it transfers to provinces, “If one is isolating them, marginalizing them, taking over the justice portfolio. but that there are constitutional limitations on pushing them out, statistically those are the He told the crowd in Saskatoon that he in- what Ottawa can tell the provinces to do with reasons that will create re-offence,’’ said Moira tends to move forward on a bill of rights for that funding. Brownlee of Mennonite Central Committee. victims after hearing heartwrenching stories The minister said he had not yet read the as- (Global Calgary) from people who were frustrated with the le- sociation’s full report, but had been briefed on it. gal process. “The overall tenor that I’ve received both Aug 19 2013 “First, I think it’s fair to say that many have in the report and from talking to everyone LANGLEY - The BC RCMP Air Services recognized that significant improvements from Madame Justice McLachlin to the presi- section has moved its two helicopters have occurred,’’ MacKay said Monday. dent of the Canadian Bar Association, front- from Vancouver Airport’s South Termi- “But second, I’ve heard many victims who line prosecutors, victims, is that this is going nal to the Langley Regional Airport. still feel the system is failing and they don’t to require a concentrated effort over time to Insp. Nigel Bushe, Officer in Charge of the feel that thus far it is meeting their needs. address some of these short-comings when it Air Services, said the move to Langley makes They want the system reformed to include comes to access,’’ said MacKay. them more central to get to crime scenes and them in a more substantial way. “And it’s multi-faceted. There’s issues in it is also more cost effective. “We’ve heard that victims want to under- terms of language, in terms of cultural sensi- “To get our helicopter out of YVR we often stand what is happening to them, what is go- tivity, in terms of the number of judges who had to wait 10 to 15 minutes to get clearance ing on around them throughout the process are in the system to administer justice, so it because it is such a busy airport,” said Bushe. and they need to know that, in fact, their isn’t going to be a one-off simple response. “We didn’t get priority treatment, even if it rights will be protected. And that these rights “It’s going to require a period of time, was an emergency.” will at least be moving in the same direction working, collaborating with all levels of gov- Now Air One can get from Langley Airport as the rights of the offenders in fact enjoy.’’ ernment, working with the participants in a to Whalley in three minutes. The minister also said more will done to way that will bring about meaningful, pro- It can fly over to Maple Ridge in that same time. help stop cyberbullying. gressive evolution in our justice system to The RCMP have signed a long-term lease In a news conference after the speech, respond fairly to the subject of access.’’ for hangar 47 and have been flying out of MacKay, who was once a Crown prosecutor Langley since June. in Nova Scotia, said legislation could come Aug 19 2013 “Langley is dead centre,” said Bushe. this fall. CALGARY - Alberta’s justice minister Right now there are two pilots and two tac- “The inappropriate transmission of inti- is asking a former police officer con- tical officers but Bushe is hoping that number mate images without consent is a crime and victed of possessing child pornogra- grows to four or five. They are also hoping to there are certain, I think, legislative gaps now phy to move out of a Calgary neigh- bring a third helicopter on board. that we’ve identified in the Criminal Code bourhood after dozens of residents “We are hoping the third helicopter can be that we hope to plug as soon as this fall if we phoned him with concerns. a twin engine. That will allow us to hover, 9 and do border searches and work with the tem, the case might not have been solved. by laws created in the 1970s when lawmak- Americans,” he said. “He would not have been caught until he ers could not envisage today’s use of comput- The RCMP Air One launched in 2006. would have offended again,” said Prox. ers, mobile devices and social media,” CACP Shortly afterwards, the province bought a Police are using an increasing number of president and chief of Vancouver police Jim second helicopter. data sources to find criminals. Chu told reporters.. Since then air services has helped with Using data to guide police work can help “The internet continues to be a safe-haven for hundreds of arrests, vehicle pursuits and re- make their work smarter and more efficient, those who choose to exploit the technology.” covery, locating suspects trying to run and to keep costs low and streets safe, said Prox. He said the CACP supports recent efforts hide and helping find lost hikers. Such investigative technologies have also by the Nova Scotia government and the “We track down a lot of stolen vehicles, at caught the attention of privacy watchdogs. federal, provincial and territorial justice and least a couple a week,” said tactical officer For decades, there have been plenty of public safety ministers to deal with cyberbul- Const. Tammy Sandquist. ways that everyday citizens are monitored by lying and the non-consensual distribution of (Langley Times) businesses, but SFU criminology professor intimate images online. Richard Frank said government agencies are But “in order for those in law enforcement to Aug 19 2013 getting access to more data than ever before. pursue the intent of such important initiatives, VANCOUVER - Police technology is “More and more, the government is step- we need to ensure that criminal activity com- getting closer and closer to being able ping in and collecting it from separate enti- mitted through new technologies can be effec- to stop crimes before they occur. Sci- ties,” he said. tively investigated and prosecuted,” Chu said. ence fiction films like Minority Report He said those concerned about privacy “This requires Telecommunications Ser- no longer seem quite so far-fetched. infringement should remember that much of vice Providers (TSPs) to preserve data while The Vancouver Police Department is work- what we do online isn’t really that private. He law enforcement obtains a judicially-autho- ing with technology that can predict where said we should think of email providers and rized warrant to request the production of crimes are most likely to occur, drawing social media sites as public property. that data. It also requires that TSPs have the from a wealth of data including that of past (CTV News) capability to be intercepted through judicially offences. authorized warrants.” Special Const. Ryan Prox expects the Aug 19 2013 While a great majority of police services ground-breaking system will be used to stop MONTREAL - Three Laval police officers throughout Canada have invested resources crimes before they happen by early 2014. are in hospital on Monday after a chain in social media, Chu said all agencies can no The technology will draw from multiple reaction involving a beating and a car longer afford not to engage in it. data sets to predict that a specific crime will crash that all started with a traffic stop. “The use of social media provides police probably occur in a specific location at a spe- At 11:30 a.m. a canine officer in a squad services with a tremendous means to com- cific time, he said, so police will know where car stopped a motorist. municate with the public, not just through a to go before a crime has been committed. At this point what the infraction was is broadcast of information, but also as a means “We will actually be deploying police units unclear. While the officer was writing up the of engaging in two-way dialogue,” Chu told pre-emptively to where crime isn’t happen- infraction in his cruiser, the enraged motorist reporters. ing, but where we’re predicting it might,” got out of his car and commenced wailing on “It enhances trust and confidence in polic- said Prox. the police car with his fists, pounding on the ing and helps foster greater relationships, in Police cars are equipped with mobile ter- hood, windshield and driver’s window. real-time, with the communities we serve.” minals with touch screens for easy access to The officer got out of his car and the mo- (CBC News) the data while on the go, so officers can make torist jumped him, knocking the officer to their own decisions on where they should be. the ground where he hurt his knee badly. The The customized computer system from officer had radioed for backup before he left Tuesday IBM has been used since 2007, and is mak- his cruiser. Two more Laval police responded August 20, 2013 ing Vancouver’s police force leaders in North with emergency lights and sirens activated. America, keeping pace with the likes of New They sped along the service road but a York and Los Angeles. 70-year-old driver apparently didn’t see or Aug 20 2013 In addition to preventing crime, “big data” hear them and was broadsided going through NEWCASTLE, Ont. - Police say a letter can also be used to solve cases traditional an intersection as the cruiser raced through. sent to the Ontario family of a 13-year- techniques couldn’t crack, said Prox. The police officers were taken to hospital, old autistic boy telling them to move He said their advanced computer system one with a concussion, and the others with or have him euthanized does not con- drew from extensive data sets to help solve neck and leg injuries. The 70-year-old driver stitute a hate crime. a case in 2010 that had been unsolved for a was treated in hospital for only minor injuries The boy’s grandmother, Brenda Millson, year and a half. as the brunt of the impact was to the back seat received the anonymous letter on Friday and A rapist had been targeting young girls of his car. reported it to police. around the Lower Mainland since the 1990s Other officers also responded to the call for The letter was signed by someone claim- when Prox was asked to put the data system help from the first policeman and the motor- ing to be a mother in the area who was upset to the test. A vast quantity of data was mined, ist who attacked the officer was arrested. He about noises Millson’s grandson Max made including housing sale records and other data may be charged with aggravated assault. The when he was outside. not typically included in a police investigation, dog was unhurt. Durham regional police say a criminal in- using a method known as “geo-profiling.” (Montreal Gazette) vestigation is underway but the letter doesn’t Within six weeks, the computer spat out reach the threshold for a hate crime. a name: Ibata Hexamer, with 99.7 per cent Aug 19 2013 Investigators say they consulted with the certainty. A warrant was promptly issued for WINNIPEG - Social media and outdated Crown Attorney’s office on the letter that his arrest. He pleaded guilty to four counts of laws hinder police dealing with online contains “hateful language.’’ sexual assault last August. crimes, says Vancouver’s police chief. The letter has gone on to make international Prox said that without the computer sys- “It still remains that police are governed headlines, and Millson says she’s grateful her 10 local community has rallied behind the family. release that criminal charges place a signifi- Aug 20 2013 cant burden on police and court resources. YARMOUTH, N.S. - Conservation of- Aug 20 2013 Chu, who is chief constable of the Van- ficers have seized a large reticulated NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - Two Niagara couver Police Service, also points out that a python in southwestern Nova Scotia, Falls brothers have been sentenced conviction results in a criminal record that marking the latest in a series of similar to eight years in prison in connection places barriers on future travel, employment exotic pet seizures across the country. with a massive cocaine bust. and citizenship. It’s illegal to keep such a snake in Nova Frank and Angelo Alessio were arrested He says the association does not support Scotia without a permit, a spokesman for the in February 2012 after police seized 110 legalization of marijuana. Natural Resources Department said Tuesday. kilograms of cocaine during a raid on a The resolution was presented by the asso- “It’s pretty clear on our website, there’s a St.Catharines industrial unit. ciation’s drug abuse committee. list of wildlife that are legal to keep with a In July, the brothers pleaded guilty to posses- “The CACP is not in support of decrimi- permit and ones that are not,’’ Bruce Nunn sion of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. nalization or legalization of cannabis in Can- said in an interview. “They seized it because After subtracting time served, each brother ada,’’ Chu said in a release Tuesday. “It must they suspect it was being illegally kept.’’ will spend five years and nine months in prison. be recognized, however, that under the cur- Nunn said the snake, seized late Monday, The investigation saw the arrest of nine rent legislation the only enforcement option is 5.4 metres long and weighs up to 90 ki- other people. for police, when confronted with simple pos- lograms. This particular species of snake can Police dubbed the investigation “Project session of cannabis, is either to turn a blind grow to a maximum length of almost seven Ink’’ and say the bust was the region’s largest eye or lay charges. metres, making it one of the longest snakes ever cocaine seizure. “The latter ensues a lengthy and difficult in the world. (CKTB) process which, if proven guilty, results in a Nunn declined to release more details be- criminal conviction and criminal record.’’ cause the department has yet to complete its Aug 20 2013 The committee’s report says there are cir- investigation. He said it’s unclear whether VANCOUVER - The children of another cumstances where a formal charge for simple charges will be laid. three women have launched lawsuits possession is appropriate, for example, if a “We’re keeping details tight because the targeting the police and Robert Pick- driver who has been pulled over is found to investigation is still continuing,’’ he said. ton, marking the first such lawsuits be smoking a joint. The huge reptile has been taken to an ap- filed by people Pickton was convicted But the report adds the “large majority’’ of proved holding facility, but Nunn wouldn’t of killing. simple possession cases could be more effi- say where that is. The latest round of claims bring the total ciently dealt with through tickets. Earlier this month, two young brothers number of lawsuits filed since May to nine, sleeping in an apartment in Campbellton, though until now the lawsuits have involved Aug 20 2013 N.B., were killed by an illegal African rock women whose remains or DNA were found MONTREAL - Quebec has launched python that had escaped from its enclosure. on the farm, but for whom Pickton was never its next debate on minority accommo- The find in Nova Scotia followed similar put on trial. dation - and this one could make the seizures in British Columbia and Ontario. Statements of claim were filed this week by erstwhile soccer-turban ban look like Last week, conservation officers eutha- Brenda Wolfe’s daughter, Angel Wolfe; Mar- a leisurely stroll on the pitch. nized nearly 50 reticulated pythons found in nie Frey’s daughter, Brittney Frey; and Geor- The government is preparing to introduce a home in Mission, B.C. Possession of reticu- gina Papin’s daughter, Kristina Bateman. long-awaited legislation that would restrict lated pythons is prohibited without a permit The three latest lawsuits allege the Vancou- religious symbols in numerous places. under the province’s Wildlife Act. ver police and the RCMP failed to properly A media report Tuesday with leaked details The report from B.C. came the same day investigate the women’s disappearances and of the Parti Quebecois government’s “Charter that 40 pythons were seized from a motel failed to warm sex workers in Vancouver’s of Quebec Values’’ says the proposed policy room in Brantford, Ont. Downtown Eastside that a serial killer was will prohibit public employees from donning likely at work. Sikh, Jewish and Muslim headwear in the Aug 20 2013 The lawsuits also target the Crown over workplace. EDMONTON - A review board has up- prosecutors’ decision in 1998 not to put Pick- The fiery debate that erupted over a recent held the firing of a former army sniper ton on trial for attempted murder after he at- ban on wearing turbans on Quebec soccer from the Edmonton Police Service for tacked a sex worker the previous year. fields offered a sneak-peek of the what could urinating on another officer and other Pickton is named as a defendant, and the be in the political pipeline for the national as- misconduct, but the case may not be lawyer representing all the families in all nine sembly’s fall session. over yet. lawsuits has said he wants to compel Pickton The turban ban was lifted by the Quebec Const. Rob Furlong, a decorated veteran to testify. Soccer Federation due to external pressure - of the war in Afghanistan, was fired in March but not before it made headlines around the 2012 by a senior officer after pleading guilty to Aug 20 2013 world. Inside Quebec, Premier Pauline Ma- two of four charges at a disciplinary hearing. WINNIPEG - Police chiefs meeting in rois rushed to the defence of the soccer fed- A few months later the Law Enforcement Re- Winnipeg say handing out tickets for eration and accused its detractors of Quebec- view Board ruled the punishment was too harsh. illegal possession of marijuana may bashing. It ordered Furlong reinstated with a tempo- be more efficient than laying criminal Tuesday’s newspaper report says the PQ rary demotion, noting that he had entered an charges. government is set to prevent employees in alcohol treatment program. Delegates to the Canadian Association of public institutions like schools and hospitals Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht filed Chiefs of Police annual meeting have passed from wearing religious symbols such as tur- an appeal that argued the decision to dismiss a resolution that says officers need more bans, niqabs, kippas, hijabs and highly visible Furlong was reasonable. “enforcement options’’ to deal with people crucifixes. The Alberta Court of Appeal then sent the caught with pot. case back to the board for reconsideration. Association president Jim Chu says in a In its ruling made public Tuesday, the Law 11 Enforcement Review Board said the decision last year, where it was found his hardships re- “I don’t think this is an employer problem, by the senior officer to fire Furlong for his lated to diabetes could not be blamed on his job. totally,” Hebdon said. “It may be that (the misconduct during a night of heavy drinking On Aug. 9 this year, the Federal Court RCMP) didn’t have the sensitivity that they at a police training event in Sept. 2011 was overturned that decision, sending the case ought to have had. … I think (Roach) has acceptable. back to the board for reconsideration. In par- some legitimate points, but I have difficulty “The presiding officers’ decision that the ap- ticular, the court directed board members to laying this all at the employer and saying it’s pellant be dismissed immediately from the Ed- place more importance on the evidence pro- all their fault.” monton Police Service is affirmed and the ap- vided by two physicians who treated Roach The RCMP would not comment on this peal is dismissed,’’ a three-member panel wrote. that indicated his duties as an officer aggra- specific case but said in a statement: “Regu- “We conclude, after very careful delibera- vated his diabetes. lar members who require insulin for adequate tion, that the presiding officers’ decision on Michael Mac Neil, a law professor special- treatment of their diabetes never have a medi- penalty was reasonable - it was a decision that izing in labour issues at Carleton University cally isolated posting in Canada imposed on was available to him in light of the facts as he in Ottawa, said this case could cause police them; the member must volunteer. Unless found them and in light of the law.’’ forces and other employers to give more con- exceptional circumstances exist, insulin-de- Furlong, who served with the Princess Pa- sideration to workers’ health conditions be- pendent diabetics are considered medically tricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was lauded fore handing them certain assignments. unsuitable for such postings.” in 2002 for shooting a Taliban fighter at a “What this decision clearly indicates is that (Postmedia News) range of 2.43 kilometres - the longest sniper if you are in a situation that is likely to make kill recorded at the time. it very difficult for you to manage a- medi Aug 20 2013 Furlong, who has been suspended from the cal condition, which then contributes to its HALIFAX - It’s official: Halifax RCMP police service without pay, was not immedi- aggravation, then you would want to think employees have a brand new home. ately available for comment. twice about sending somebody to that kind of The H Division Headquarters, snuggled Sgt. Tony Simioni, president of the Ed- a posting,” he said. next to Spectacle Lake in Burnside, was un- monton Police Association, which represents According to court’s summary of the case, veiled to guests and the media on Tuesday. officers, said Furlong is very disappointed Roach was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in Justice Minister Ross Landry and Minister with the latest ruling and is seeking leave to 1992, requiring him to take insulin and care- of Public Works and Government Service Di- challenge it at the Alberta Court of Appeal. fully manage his blood-sugar levels through ane Finley were on hand for the official rib- “He is obviously concerned about the over- diet, physical activity and stress management. bon cutting. turning of the decision and we are going to The records show Roach’s inability to take The $113-million facility consolidates 10 support him through this process to the very such measures, over the years, resulted in offices scattered throughout HRM into one end,’’ Simioni said. him being afflicted with diabetic neuropathy, building and can fit up to 512 RCMP and ci- Knecht was not immediately available for a form of nerve damage. As a result, he has vilian employees. comment Tuesday. trouble attending social functions and per- The facility was completed in June – six Last April Knecht issued a written state- forming household tasks because of pain in months ahead of schedule – and boasts a ment about the Furlong case. his legs, and he suffers from erectile dysfunc- pedigree of sustainable features, including In it he said the citizens of Edmonton have tion. Another condition noted is diabetic reti- a living green roof, rainwater treatment and high standards and expectations of police, nopathy, which has impaired his vision. reuse for building operations, and was con- and that it is essential for the police to main- It was shortly after the initial diabetes diag- structed with using locally sourced materials tain the public trust. nosis that Roach was posted to Shamattawa, when possible. Man., a remote northern reserve of about 750 “We have a lot of room, and the plans that Aug 20 2013 people. The community had a high rate of were created for this building allow us to OTTAWA - An ex-Mountie’s quest for violence, there were no physicians, housing expand within the building right now,” said a disability pension as a result of di- conditions were poor and there was a lack of Alphonse MacNeil, commanding officer of abetes-related complications will be fresh food available, according to the court the RCMP in Nova Scotia. “We have no is- reconsidered after the Federal Court summary. sues of growing out the building anytime in overturned a ruling that found his con- Two years later, Roach was transferred to the future.” ditions were not related to his job. the RCMP’s criminal intelligence section in MacNeil says the efficiency of the building Brian Roach, who was with the RCMP Winnipeg, putting in long hours that often stretches beyond the employees who work there. from 1980 to 2012, has been seeking this forced him to skip meals and made it difficult “Any of our members from detachments compensation from Veterans Affairs Canada. to monitor his blood-sugar levels, the court around the province that need to come into He claims elements of his job — such as be- document says. Halifax to meet with any of our sections only ing posted in a remote location in northern Between 1997 and 2000, Roach was as- need to come to one building, as opposed to Manitoba where no physicians were avail- signed to the RCMP drug section in Winni- traveling around the HRM,” he said. able and doing stressful assignments requir- peg. Long hours and irregular schedules con- (Metro News) ing long hours that prevented a healthy diet tinued to be a barrier to maintaining a healthy — aggravated his diabetes to the point of lifestyle, the court summary says, adding that Aug 20 2013 creating potentially debilitating conditions in his undercover work led to increased smok- MONTREAL - Vincent Geracitano runs his health. ing and alcohol consumption. the gamut of emotions describing the fu- Roach’s initial application for disability Robert Hebdon, a professor at McGill Uni- ture of his television channel: pride, en- compensation was made to Veterans Affairs, versity’s school of management in Montreal, joyment, worry - but mostly anger about which handles such matters, in 2010. He was said the case points out how more consider- how it’s being taken away from him. awarded benefits related to tinnitus and post- ation of employees’ health should be given When the CRTC made its decisions on traumatic stress disorder, but not for diabetes by employers in certain cases. However, he mandatory carriage public August 8, it denied complications. also said some of the responsibility falls on most of the applications from existing or pro- Roach’s continued efforts pushed it to the an employee to prevent situations that place posed channels seeking the status for the first Veterans Review and Appeal Board in June of their health in jeopardy. time, and approved most of the applications 12 for renewal. Géracitano’s channel, Avis de re- people don’t actually watch it. He’s not convinced that’s possible, since cherche, was the only service with mandatory Géracitano doesn’t believe in that line of neither the business community nor police carriage that had its renewal denied. And he reasoning. He pointed to CPAC, APTN and departments nor individual subscribers are doesn’t understand why. other channels with mandatory carriage that eager to spend money to keep this service Avis de recherche is a channel that pro- also have small viewership but provide a pub- running. And he has to start making cuts now vides public safety information in Quebec. lic service. He pointed out most people pay in order to pay off debts faster. It airs notices of missing and wanted people, little attention to it most of the time, except Asked what he can do to save his channel, and produces news shows and information when they need it. “If it’s a member of your he shook his head, his eyes growing red and capsules in cooperation with emergency ser- family (that’s missing), you’re sure as hell his voice getting quiet. “What do we do now? I vices. Géracitano got the idea for it in 1999, glad that the service exists,” he said. He said don’t know. Fight; try to see what we can do.” when he had video of people trying to break he doesn’t expect people to watch his chan- (Blue Line Magazine) into his office for a second time and the po- nel for hours at a time, but maybe just a few lice told him they couldn’t do anything with minutes a day. Aug 20 2013 it because it wasn’t interesting enough for the Even the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, The fast-approaching trial of the man local news. a consumer-focused interest group that op- accused of shooting dead three armed In 2002, Géracitano got a licence for a posed most demands for mandatory carriage, guards at the University of Alberta will television channel devoted to broadcasting agreed that ADR and its English-language no longer be heard by a jury, it was re- notices from police, no matter how old or un- version All Points Bulletin were essential vealed Tuesday. exciting. It launched on Oct. 21, 2004, and services and deserved it. (APB, which is li- Travis Baumgartner was charged in the rather than seeking a subscriber fee, Géraci- censed but unlaunched, was denied manda- June 2012 robbery and fatal shooting of Mi- tano paid Videotron to distribute the chan- tory carriage in 2007, and again this month.) chelle Shegelski, Eddie Rejano and Brian Il- nel to its digital subscribers. It cost him two “Canadians now have access to a whole esic at HUB Mall. A fourth guard, Matthew cents per month per subscriber, going up to new set of broadband-based technologies Schuman, was badly injured in the shooting. five cents by 2008. With more than 750,000 that did not exist when Avis de Recherche Baumgartner was working as a guard on digital subscribers, that worked out to almost obtained mandatory distribution in 2007,” the same shift. He was arrested days later $40,000 a month. the Commission said in its decision, reason- with $330,000 in cash in his vehicle at a U.S. His business model was based on business ing that those technologies were helpful in “a border crossing adjoining British Columbia. sponsorship, who he figured would want to more effective and efficient manner than a Alberta Justice spokesperson Michelle be associated with a service that provides a linear television channel.” Davio told CBC News that, at the request public service and helps fight crime. But, as It also said the ADR couldn’t demonstrate of Baumgartner’s lawyer, the trial will be he discovered, the opposite was true. Adver- it was “unique and complementary to existing switched from jury to judge alone. The tisers didn’t want to see their logo next to programming” or that it had “concrete suc- Crown agreed with the change. pictures of wanted criminals. On top of that, cess indicators such as increased security of The time set aside for the trial has also its regional nature meant national advertis- Canadian communities.” been reduced from three weeks to one after ers weren’t interested, and its negligible rat- Géracitano said it’s hard to measure the discussions between the Crown and defence ings meant that “agencies won’t propose us channel’s success because reports are not fed lawyers. Davio said the change was made late because they wouldn’t make enough money through ADR. Instead, the channel broadcasts last week. from commissions,” Géracitano said. contact information for police departments Davio said Baumgartner’s trial is sched- In July 2007, the CRTC granted ADR man- directly, and he doesn’t often get feedback uled to start Sept. 9. datory carriage on digital cable in Quebec. from them about where their tips come from. Baumgartner is charged with three counts After objections from distributors, the gov- However, there are some cases he can point of murder and one count of attempted murder. ernment took the unusual step of asking the to where ADR made an impact: a car thief in (CBC News) Commission to reconsider the decision, but Assomption and a bank robber on Montreal’s in January 2008 the CRTC upheld the order. south shore were caught because viewers saw Instead of having to pay five cents a month their mugshots on TV; A 35-year-old miss- wednesday per subscriber, ADR would receive six cents. ing child case reopened as a result of ADR’s August 21, 2013 Géracitano, who had mortgaged both his attention; a dead body identified after ADR home and his parents’ home to keep the chan- broadcast a police reconstruction of his face; Aug 21 2013 nel running, spent most of the first year just and a child taken to Mexico by his mother, paying off outstanding debt to Videotron. Af- who was allowed to see his father again after TORONTO - A Toronto police officer ter that, the channel expanded from mugshot ADR publicized the case. facing a rare murder charge in the slides to original programming. The biggest ace in the hole presented to the shooting death of a young man on a “Anything that has to do with public safety CRTC was the statistic that 34% of RCMP cases streetcar is free on $510,000 bail after has its place here,” Géracitano explained, broadcast on the channel were solved because spending just hours in custody. stressing that it’s expanded far beyond mug- of it. The e-mail Géracitano used as evidence of Const. James Forcillo, 30, surrendered shots. It produces a live daily show giving this actually says that 57 of 168 tips the RCMP himself to authorities Tuesday morning on an news about police activity, and other news and received from ADR since 2009 contributed sig- arrest warrant that was issued the day before information programs shot by its journalists. nificantly to investigations. in the death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim. Because it’s not an entertainment channel, “If the service was useless, do you think Yatim was shot multiple times and Taser- ADR doesn’t have high ratings. In fact, it’s the police would be coming here?” he asked. ed on an empty streetcar last month. It was within BBM Canada’s margin of error, which With no obvious avenue of appeal at his captured on surveillance and cellphone video is why it doesn’t subscribe to the measure- disposal, Géracitano is going to have to make on which nine shots can be heard following ment service. This was a key point against it cuts. The CRTC extended ADR’s mandatory shouts for him to drop a knife. at the CRTC hearing. Broadcasting vice-chair carriage until Aug. 31, 2015, to “allow the li- Forcillo showed no discernable reaction Tom Pentefountas, who led the Commission’s censee time to adapt its business plan in light when he appeared in court in the morning questioning, asked if the channel is useful if of this change.” on a procedural first appearance and in the

13 afternoon when he and his lawyers attended year’s student protests. the force has yet to respond, at least publicly. the bail hearing. He was brought to the court- The Crown has decided it does not have A win for Orillia would mean savings of $1 house around 8:30 a.m. and walked free about enough evidence to understand the full con- million annually. seven hours later. text of why Constable Trudeau used pepper Should the OPP agree to arbitration, the con- Superior Court Justice Gary Trotter’s rea- spray on several people. tract will be renewed and the dispute over staff- sons for setting Forcillo free on bail are under On May 20, 2012 Constable Trudeau pep- ing numbers and costs would be resolved “when- a publication ban. per-sprayed several people who were appar- ever the court case is heard,” said CAO Roman But his lawyer Peter Brauti said outside ently taking part in a protest, but did not seem Martiuk. “That could be months from now.” court that Forcillo, who has an “excellent’’ to be doing anything that required their being A refusal by the OPP to participate in arbitra- policing background, is someone who should subdued. tion would leave the matter in the hands of the be released. The speed with which he got out Bystanders recorded the incident and put in police services board and, ultimately, council. is unusual, Brauti acknowledged. on YouTube, and that incident along with sev- “(The board) would give us another recom- “It’s rare, if you want to talk about murder eral others led to Trudeau being suspended mendation,” Martiuk added. cases in general, but when you look at the cir- last year pending an investigation. The OPP will move into a non-contract cumstances of this case, this is a case where In April Montreal police finished their position, known as a Section 5.1, if an agree- Mr. Forcillo didn’t ask to be at the foot of that investigation and made their recommenda- ment is not reached by Sept. 1. streetcar,’’ Brauti said. tions to Crown Prosecutors. The office of the Under that scenario, the city’s police ser- “He was on duty and he had a legal obli- DPCP has now decided that the video, and vices board is no longer recognized by the gation to be there. We’ll have a trial about the 27 statements made by witnesses do not OPP and the billing method for policing whether the decisions were right or wrong.’’ provide enough context for what happened. changes. Brauti, who often represented police offi- The Crown said the witnesses did confirm “Some of the extras that were in last year’s cers, said he and Crown Attorney John Patton that the protest on the night of May 20 was contract aren’t allowed in a 5.1 arrangement,” spent a nearly sleepless 24 hours hammering quite violent, and that demonstrators had Martiuk said. “They were foot patrol and (en- out an agreement. repeatedly been informed they were not al- forcing) the taxi and alarm bylaw.” Forcillo’s four sureties include his wife and lowed to be on the streets. Martiuk said the OPP assured him any her family and he must report to the Special Accordingly the Crown says that the ac- transition would be seamless. Investigations Unit once a week. He must tions taken by Constable Trudeau seem to fall (Orillia Today) surrender his passport and any weapons, obey under reasonable force. a curfew and get written permission from (CTV News) Aug 21 2013 the Crown to leave Ontario, though he can’t REGINA - Saskatchewan’s top Mount- leave Canada. Aug 21 2013 ie is leaving the job. “The conditions are stringent to show the ORILLIA - Replacing the OPP with a city Assistant Commissioner Russ Mirasty is public that this is a serious case and every- force could cost Orillia dearly in the retiring at the end of the month. body’s treating it seriously,’’ Brauti said. long run, Coun. Michael Fogarty warns. Mirasty became the first First Nations per- Forcillo was also ordered not to commu- son to lead an RCMP division when he took nicate with the witnesses in his case and Ya- the post in December 2010. tim’s mother, father and sister. He will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Brenda Butterworth-Carr, who becomes the Aug 21 2013 first female aboriginal commanding officer. ONEIDA OF THE THAMES, Ont. - A Butterworth-Carr joined the RCMP in 17-year-old boy faces a slew of charg- 1987 as a native special constable. es, including attempted murder, in She has served in Yukon, British Columbia connection with a shootout involving and Saskatchewan in many key positions includ- Middlesex provincial police earlier ing as the First Nations policing co-ordinator. this month. Police say they responded to several calls at The community’s relationship with the Aug 21 2013 the Oneida of the Thames First Nations reserve provincial force will suffer a damaging blow WINNIPEG - If only all crime cases on Aug. 3 about “violent confrontations.’’ and the fallout would be felt for years to were this easy to solve. Officers say they confronted a suspect come, he said. Early Wednesday morning, a man came up armed with a shot gun, shots were fired and “What happens in 20 years when the OPP to a gas station in Winnipeg, approached the the suspect was hit by police bullets. Headquarters needs to do major renovations sliding window and told the employee he had They say he was taken to the hospital and they’ve got 20 municipalities begging for a gun and to give him all the cash. where he was initially listed in critical condi- them to relocate, and they are going to give But the clerk refused and simply shut the tion, but he is now expected to survive. them sweetheart deals?” Fogarty said. “Do I window, and the would-be robber fled in a A 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, want to be sitting on the council that loses this vehicle. faces multiple charges that include four counts municipality 2,000 to 3,000 jobs?” A short time later, the man came back to of attempted murder and two counts of dis- While supporting the call by the city for the apologize. charging a firearm with intent to endanger life. OPP to enter binding arbitration on staffing But police were at the gas bar investigating (AM980) and cost issues, Fogarty is unwilling to con- and the 44-year-old man was arrested and is sider dropping the force. facing a charge of robbery. Aug 21 2013 “I know the economic benefit brought to Const. Eric Hofley says no weapon was found MONTREAL - Stefanie Trudeau, the this city by the OPP significantly outweighs and the man’s apology may help him in court. police officer best known as Matri- the $800,000 to $1 million more a year that it (CJOB) cule 728, will not be charged with will cost us,” he added. any crimes stemming from an in- Council last Thursday gave the OPP two Aug 21 2013 cident that took place during last weeks to respond to a request for arbitration, and OTTAWA - Ottawa police are set to be- 14 gin a program in September aimed at do: we show up in the middle of the night and and kind approach helped end the or- reducing police involvement in mental we deal with the immediate crisis, but we’re deal without any injuries. health and addiction issues and up- not looking at what’s causing it.” Police said Wednesday that school book- ping their partnerships with commu- So, if it’s a mental health issue, Slaughter keeper Antoinette Tuff was heroic in how she nity groups to prevent crime. said, the idea is to consult a mental health responded after being taken hostage a day It’s modelled on the Community Mobiliza- professional and find the resources needed to earlier by Michael Brandon Hill, a 20-year- tion program in Prince Albert, Sask., which solve the problem that is causing the criminal old man with a history of mental health is- Sgt. Brent Kalinowski says has brought violent behaviour in the first place. sues. Hill went to the school armed with an crime down 32 per cent since it began in 2011. “There’s lots of services for victims, so AK 47-style rifle and nearly 500 rounds of In a presentation to nearly 200 munici- they bring in the groups and the services to ammunition, police said. pal leaders at the closing day of this week’s deal with the victims but for the person who On a recording of a 911 call released Association of Municipalities of Ontario got arrested, there’s no real mechanism to Wednesday, Tuff can be heard relaying mes- conference in Ottawa, Kalinowski said the give them the help they need, whether it be sages from Hill to DeKalb County emergency program brings together teachers, addictions anger management, employment help or ad- dispatchers before convincing him to surren- experts, social workers, health-care workers, dictions counselling, whatever the problem der. She tells the dispatcher that Hill said he police, mental health advocates, probation of- may be,” said Stoddart. wasn’t there to hurt the children but wanted to ficers, First Nations and academic analysts. Both women are excited at the prospect of talk to an unarmed officer. “Police are only part of the equation,” he what they call this “paradigm shift” in policing. “He said, ‘Call the probation office in said, noting that involving all these people “The reason why we arrest the bad guys DeKalb County and let them know what’s go- with various expertise gets closer to the root is so they don’t have another victim, right? ing on,’’’ Tuff is heard telling the dispatcher. of the problems that create crime. We want to help. We want to make society a “He said he should have just went to the men- He also said it could help to reduce polic- better place. And, when you get into policing, tal hospital instead of doing this, because he’s ing costs by taking the burden of dealing with you really believe that you’re going to make not on his medication.’’ mental health issues and addictions, for ex- a difference,” said Stoddart. No one was injured, but police said the sus- ample, off the police plate and getting expert “So, I’ve been in 23 years and I think, with pect shot into the floor and exchanged gunfire help for those most in need. This creates a this program, I’m going to be able to make with officers who had surrounded Ronald E. “functioning community,” and helps in crime a difference — not just me, but collectively McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Deca- reduction because those people aren’t getting across the city, if we can get our partners in- tur, a suburb east of Atlanta. The school has 870 into trouble, he said. volved. If we make Ottawa a safer commu- students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Kalinowski said Prince Albert took the nity, I may never retire.” Dramatic television footage showed lines data showing the success of their program to (Ottawa Citizen) of young students racing out of the building the province of Saskatchewan and got more with police and teachers escorting them to support from Premier Brad Wall, a major pro- safety. They sat outside in a field for a time ponent of the initiative. thursday until school buses came to take them to their Cash-strapped municipalities in Ontario August 22, 2013 parents at a nearby Wal-Mart. with over-stretched police forces are already The exchange between Tuff and the sus- taking note, and an 11-community working pect was captured on a recording of a 911 call group is meeting to create programs here that Aug 22 2013 made by school officials to dispatchers. would address the same issues. WEYBURN, Sask. - Police in Weyburn, Tuff begins by telling Hill of her own Toronto is rolling out a pilot project in Sask., have reached a deal for a new struggles, including raising a disabled child Scarborough. contract. and losing her husband. The bookkeeper re- Ottawa Police Sgt. Teena Stoddart with the The three-year-deal includes a pay raise of assures him by saying he didn’t hurt anyone, Crime Prevention Section has been in touch 12.5 per cent over the contract, and is retroac- hadn’t harmed her and could still surrender with the United Way to help bring communi- tive to Jan. 1, 2012. peacefully. ty partners to the table as early as September There is a 4.5 per cent hike in the first year, “We’re not gonna hate you, baby. It’s a and get the project off the ground “as soon as and four in the other two years. good thing that you’re giving up,’’ Tuff says possible.” Evan Bray, president of the Saskatchewan after having Hill put his weapons and ammu- She said she expects a lot of heavy lifting Federation of Police Officers, says they are nition on the counter. Tuff tells Hill she loves in the first year, reaching out to community thrilled both sides were able to come to an him and will pray for him. partners, showing them the model, exchang- agreement they are satisfied with. Before he surrendered, Tuff took to the ing ideas and asking them to come on board. He says they did better than some of the school’s public address system to say Hill “It’s a lot of up-front work — building re- larger centres that recently settled in Sas- was sorry for what he’d done and didn’t want lationships and getting the structure in place katchewan and in western Canada, but says to hurt anyone - although the lockdown re- — but, once that’s done, I think you’ll see this Weyburn police are still behind when it mained in effect. project take off very quickly.” comes to pay. Hill is charged with aggravated assault on Staff Sgt. Cori Slaughter said the first steps Weyburn Mayor Debra Button said in a a police officer, terroristic threats and posses- are to educate the force internally and figure statement that the city is pleased to “come to sion of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police out how to adapt the program to Ottawa’s a negotiated settlement that is fair for both the declined to discuss what he told them when unique challenges. police and the taxpayers.’’ questioned. “This is one of the inherent problems in the (CJME) “We have to make a reasonable as- policing: we go, we arrest or we lay charges sumption he was there to do harm to or we hand out tickets — but, that’s not the Aug 22 2013 someone,’’ DeKalb County Police Chief answer,” she said. “How can we get out to DECATUR, Ga. - The 911 tapes from Cedric L. Alexander said. these families in order to address some of the a frightening standoff and shooting Law enforcement officers praised Tuff for problems they’re having instead of just show- at an Atlanta-area school show how a helping to avert a potential tragedy. ing up in crisis mode? ’Cause that’s what we school employee’s calm demeanour “She was a real ally,’’ Alexander said. 15 “She was a real hero in all of this. She just chained at his wrists and ankles. with the driver. did a stellar job. She was cool, she was calm, The driver then allegedly fled the scene very collected in all of this, maintained her Aug 22 2013 and struck a curb before being thrown from wherewithal.’’ OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Can- his motorcycle and landing in an intersection. Tuff told WSB-TV in Atlanta that she ada will not hear a case involving two The man was then taken to hospital with a tried to keep Hill talking to prevent him Quebec policemen accused of forging broken arm and a punctured lung. from walking into the hallway or through the a search document. The SIU has assigned eight investigators to school building. Officers Georges Lebel and Gilbert Ga- probe the details of the crash. “He had a look on him that he was willing gnon say they have waited too long for their to kill - matter of fact he said it. He said that day in court. Aug 22 2013 he didn’t have any reason to live and that he The two officers were accused of forging TORONTO - The family of an 18 year knew he was going to die today,’’ Tuff said. the signature of Daniel Audet, whose home old who died after being shot by po- Hill was arrested in mid-March for making they searched in February 2001. lice on a Toronto streetcar says they terroristic threats in Henry County, DeKalb But Audet says he never signed a docu- are “distressed’’ by reports the young and Henry County sheriff’s officials have ment consenting to the search. man was hit by eight bullets. said. He was sentenced to probation. Six years passed between the time charges The Special Investigations Unit has said were filed in 2005 and the scheduled begin- Sammy Yatim was shot “multiple times’’ and Aug 22 2013 ning of the officers’ trial in 2011, which they Tasered, and has charged Const. James Forcil- OTTAWA - A 23-year-old Montreal man claim violates their right to be tried within a lo with second-degree murder in his death. has been convicted on human traffick- reasonable time. Yatim’s shooting was captured on surveillance ing charges in Ottawa. As is standard practice in the case of ap- and cellphone videos, on which nine shots can be It’s the first time someone has been con- plications for leave to appeal, the Supreme heard following shouts for him to drop a knife. victed under human trafficking laws in the Court did not give reasons for its decision. The Toronto Sun and the Toronto Star are country’s capital since they were added to the now reporting that their sources say eight of Criminal Code in 2005. Aug 22 2013 those shots actually struck Yatim. Jamie Byron was accused of abducting TORONTO - Ontario’s Special Investiga- A spokeswoman for the coroner’s office a 17-year-old Windsor, Ont., girl from her tion Unit is looking for witnesses to a says they can legally only disclose informa- home in 2011, and forcing her to perform collision in Toronto’s west end that left tion about their investigations to family mem- sexual acts on more than 100 men over a two a 24-year-old man with serious injuries. bers and others involved. month period. The SIU says that a Toronto police offi- The family released a statement saying Byron was caught by an undercover Ot- cer was driving a marked police motorcycle they have no knowledge or information to tawa Police officer. (northbound on Kipling Avenue), when he verify the media reports as they haven’t seen He is due back in court on Sept. 6 to set a pulled alongside another motorcycle to speak a copy of a coroner’s report. sentencing date. (CFRA)

Aug 22 2013 BRIDGEWATER, N.S. - A Halifax man charged with sexual assault in the case of a teenage boy who was chained inside a Nova Scotia cabin will go to trial in March. John Leonard MacKean is scheduled for a three-day trial by judge and jury beginning March 17 in Bridgewater Supreme Court. MacKean, who was not in court today, is also charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18. In June, David James LeBlanc was sen- tenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions. An agreed statement of facts in LeBlanc’s case said he offered the boy a painting job and drove him in a van from Halifax to Lunen- burg County last September on the pretext of picking up painting supplies. But the document said the boy was taken to a cabin in Upper Chelsea, about 130 ki- lometres southwest of Halifax, where he was chained inside a bedroom and repeatedly sexually assaulted. The boy later escaped and a woman report- ed seeing a barefoot teenager at her doorstep, 16