AUTUMN MacDONALD
Observer Reporter
A recently released report by the Civil Liberties Association highlights issues surrounding RCMP members and aboriginal people in B.C.
The report, a compilation of 16 workshops is 14 communities across northern and rural B.C. in August of 2010, asked participants to raise their concerns in a “unidentified” location. The report also maintains the participants right to privacy.
“The association has been aware of issues arising in British Columbia’s north involving the RCMP for years,” the report said.
“From concerns about repeated deaths in custody in New Hazleton three years ago, to the deaths of Ian Bush, Kevin St. Arnaud, Clayton Wiley, and other incidents of both high and low profile, the north has continually been seen by the BCCLA as being home to a disproportionate number of extremely concerning incidents given the relatively low population density, the relatively low violent crime rates, and the cooperation that one would otherwise expect between smaller detachments and the communities they serve.
More than 300 people attended the workshops, 30 of those from Quesnel.
According to the report, participants had many positive comments regarding RCMP conduct in the Gold Pan City, in particular Const. Jenny Collins.
“Another officer named Jenny Collins was also praised for attending funerals, workshops and
pow wows, working with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and interacting in a positive manner with the native community and children on reserve,” the report reads.
“Participants expressed regret that she’d been moved out of the community outreach position.”
Participants also noted rural roads and dangerous driving conditions and commended RCMP for their hard work keeping the roads safer. However, some participants noted negative experiences; one noting what she felt to be an inability to converse with witnesses and the public.
“This is one of the things I feel the RCMP are not in tune, talking with youth,” one participant is quoted.
“Young girl comes in with a problem, it should not be a male RCMP she’s talking to. Should be a female.
“And RCMP should never come alone to talk to that child. When they have a meeting in our community, they say they don’t meet with a child alone, but that’s a lie.”
Another issue of concern and raised throughout the report in varying communities was allegations of racial profiling.
One aboriginal participant said he was pulled over for speeding and that the attending officer applied a breathalyser to him. He said the attending officer then called a back up officer in who gave a test where the participant had to close his eyes and count and perform various other sobriety tests.
The officers then gave him a 24 hour suspension because they told the participant he was “high on marijuana.” The participant said the allegation was completely false,
but there was no defence.
“They just took my car away and there was nothing I could do,” he claimed.
“I was a victim of racial profiling.”
Another participant alleged:
“There has been prejudice I’ve seen. An incident just three years ago,
an aboriginal fellow trying to commit suicide on the
bridge.
“I used the emergency speaker on the bridge and said ‘There’s an aboriginal fellow trying to commit suicide, he’s out on the rail.’
“I will never say aboriginal again, it took a long time for them to show up, we had two cigarettes, I talked him back in. That’s a long time
to have two cigarettes.”
RCMP Commanding Officer E Division, Peter Hourihan spoke to the report.
“I have read the report in its entirety and there are a number of aspects to the report that are beneficial for the RCMP, positive and negative,” Hourihan stated.
“I acknowledge the report is based on observations/discussions that the BCCLA had with community members.
“It is presented from the workshop perspective.
“While there are areas of the report that I would like further information before coming to a conclusion, there are opportunities in the report we can look at to provide quality policing across British Columbia.”
Hourihan highlighted the fact the report points to a number of negative police experiences by people in the communities.
“For some of these examples, further information is required and we can work with the BCCLA and the communities for clarification and elaboration,” he said.
“There are some trends, however, and we will look at those areas for potential to better meet the needs and expectations of the communities. “While it is true many of the negative interactions with our police officers are during enforcement activities, they can offer insight into how people feel and think and what their expectations are when dealing with the police.”
Hourihan said it is important for our police personnel to know and understand these thoughts and feelings.
“Again, our goal is to provide quality policing to the communities we serve,” he said.
“I would ask those with issues, concerns, suggestions or feedback to speak to us – engage with us – connect with us.”