Tag Archives: Police Brutality

Forests, Justice

Police officer quits task force over concerns about RCMP tactics at Fairy Creek

By Jen Osborne / Rochelle Baker, National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At least one police officer joined protesters, journalists and politicians raising alarm bells over RCMP enforcement tactics during the peak of conflict at the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades in B.C. during the summer of 2021.

The officer, a former member of the RCMP’s specialized team that deals with resource extraction protests, resigned from the task force over concerns about “unjustifiable” police behaviour during an August crackdown on activists, a freedom-of-information (FOI) request shows.

Continue reading Police officer quits task force over concerns about RCMP tactics at Fairy Creek →
Forests, Justice

Fairy Creek RCMP whistleblower’s concerns reflect a pattern of questionable enforcement at industry protests

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Concerns over questionable RCMP tactics raised by an officer involved in the crackdown at the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades in the summer of 2021 are not surprising, says a lawyer representing dozens of activists.

There’s been no shortage of legal proceedings or social media videos focused on the treatment of protesters, said lawyer Karen Mirsky, who is the president of the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA).

But it is remarkable an officer was willing to risk voicing concerns about police behaviour to superiors, Mirsky said.

Continue reading Fairy Creek RCMP whistleblower’s concerns reflect a pattern of questionable enforcement at industry protests →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

‘Justice for Jared:’ Family of Indigenous man killed by RCMP demand justice a year later

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Note: This story contains accounts of police violence, racism and hate against Indigenous people that could be triggering. Please listen with care.

Laura Holland, of the Small Frog house, Wet’suwet’en, sets up the hall at Homalco Nation for a memorial on July 7. The day marks a year since her son Jared (“Jay”) Lowdnes was killed by Campbell River RCMP.

Continue reading ‘Justice for Jared:’ Family of Indigenous man killed by RCMP demand justice a year later →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

Advocates question RCMP’s role in recent deaths of Indigenous peoples

By Philip McLachlan,  The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Content warning: This story mentions self-harm and police response to a distress call, as well as content about police violence against Indigenous people. Please read with care.

Advocates are demanding a public inquiry following the death of a Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) man who died after RCMP were called to his home — the latest plea for systemic reform to a police force which one chief says has an “inherent bloodlust against people of colour.”

Rojun Alphonse’s family called officers to his apartment early in the morning on July 10 because they were concerned that he was going to harm himself — but instead of calming the man in distress, the RCMP showed up to “terrorize” Alphonse with tear gas, automatic weapons, body armour and armed vehicles, said WLFN Chief Willie Sellars.

Continue reading Advocates question RCMP’s role in recent deaths of Indigenous peoples →
Justice

One-on-one with the leader of a special RCMP unit tasked with policing opposition to industrial projects in B.C.

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

“Beyond troubling” is how John Brewer, chief superintendent and gold commander of the RCMP’s controversial  Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), described the conduct of some  of his officers after reviewing audio recorded in the minutes following police arrests of land defenders and journalists in November. 

Continue reading One-on-one with the leader of a special RCMP unit tasked with policing opposition to industrial projects in B.C. →