Alberta’s civilian police watchdog has been requested to guide an investigation into allegations of historic misconduct involving members of the Prince George RCMP and Indigenous ladies.
In a press release issued late Wednesday, Public Security Minister Mike Farnworth mentioned the Alberta Critical Incident Response Crew (ASIRT) has been chosen to guide the investigation, and that the RCMP have indicated they’ll cooperate.
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Outdoors investigators to look into historic allegations of misconduct at Prince George RCMP
Like British Columbia’s Impartial Investigations Workplace (IIO), ASIRT is headed by a civilian director.
Its mandate consists of investigating police interactions which have resulted in severe harm or dying, together with circumstances involving delicate allegations of misconduct akin to sexual assault or obstruction of justice.
A few of the allegations date again practically 20 years, to 2004, when BC decide David Ramsey pleaded responsible to sexually assaulting aboriginal ladies.
A few of the similar ladies additionally accused a lot of RCMP officers of crimes, however no Mounties have been ever charged.
Since then, former RCMP officers have come ahead with troubling allegations within the file.
Retired const. Lisa MacKenzie instructed World Information she reported discovering videotapes in 2006 that allegedly confirmed Prince George Mounties harassing Indigenous ladies. Inside days, they have been stolen in a housebreaking, she claims.
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Prison investigation into historic allegations about Prince George Mounties stays lively: RCMP
Retired Employees Sgt. Gary Kerr instructed World Information that on the time of the allegations, “the RCMP merely did nothing, completely nothing,” and “in reality took many steps to bury it.”
The RCMP’s Civilian Overview and Complaints Fee beforehand decided that nobody had ensured that “an inexpensive investigation was performed.”
In his assertion, Farnworth mentioned the RCMP commissioner agreed with the CRCC’s findings and suggestions.
The BC RCMP beforehand confirmed to World Information that each prison and code of conduct investigations into the allegations remained open.
“As this report was directed to the RCMP, I spoke with my federal counterpart Minister Marco Mendicino about these severe allegations and BC’s Director of Police Providers ordered an unbiased investigation by an exterior company into these allegations,” Farnworth mentioned.
Learn extra:
‘Their factor is to bury it’: BC RCMP whistleblower speaks out
The provincial authorities additionally consulted with members of the family who known as for reform on the Meeting of First Nations Regional Chiefs to inform them the investigation was transferring ahead, he mentioned.
“Our authorities is resolute in its dedication to finish systemic violence towards Indigenous girls, ladies and 2SLGBTQ+ folks, notably in northern BC and the circumstances involving police,” he mentioned.
“I acknowledge the knowledge, advocacy and ongoing motion of members of the family, survivors, neighborhood leaders and companions.”
Farnworth mentioned the province wouldn’t remark additional now that the investigation is ongoing.
– with recordsdata from Catherine Urquhart, World Information
© 2023 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
