RCMP Commissioner Admits Racist Officers Are A Problem On The Force

[twizz]

RCMP Commissioner Admits Racist Officers Are A Problem On The Force
5 hours ago | Updated 4 hours ago

Emma Paling The Huffington Post Canada

Racist officers in the RCMP have to go, the force’s commissioner Bob Paulson said Wednesday in addressing leaders of Canada’s First Nations.

“I understand that there are racists in my police force, I don’t want them to be in my police force,” Paulson said in a speech to members of the Assembly of First Nations, The Globe and Mail reported.

The commissioner was responding to B.C. Grand Chief Doug Kelly, who told him: "We encounter racism every single day. Some of the worst racists carry a gun and they carry a badge, authorized by you, Commissioner Paulson ... We need you to confront racism in the ranks."

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson hears from #AFNSCA Chiefs in Assembly at #AFNSCA Watch live webcast afn.ca pic.twitter.com/lgf0BAN1Wj
— AFN (@AFN_Updates) December 9, 2015

Paulson promised reconciliation between the RCMP and indigenous communities in his address at the annual AFN meeting in Gatineau, Que. It was the first time an RCMP commissioner has ever attended the assembly.

“I would encourage you all, though, to have confidence in the processes that exist, up to and including calling me if you’re having a problem with a racist in your jurisdiction or any other problems,” he said.

His comments came on the heels of the Liberal government’s announcement Tuesday that it will begin an inquiry into Canada’s missing and murdered indigenous women in the next two months.

"From what I see, they haven't taken my daughter's case seriously since day one. To put it bluntly, it’s racism."

The father of one of these missing women, Wilfred Catcheway, told CBC News he’s “happy” the problem is being brought into the open.

"From what I see, they haven't taken my daughter's case seriously since day one," he said. “To put it bluntly, it’s racism.”

First Nations chiefs have a long list of issues with the way the RCMP handles cases of missing aboriginal women, according to The Toronto Star.

Last year, former aboriginal affairs minister Bernard Valcourt said that 70 per cent of murdered indigenous women were victimized by indigenous men, which was not explained in the RCMP’s first report on the issue. One chief called this notion a "myth."

In October, an independent watchdog finished an investigation of the RCMP after a human rights report detailed allegations of rape, excessive use of force, and faulty handling of missing-persons cases, The Globe and Mail reported.


http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/8777126

 

[nottyboi]

What does it matter if the indigenous women were victimized by indigenous men. I do not see how that (true or false) is relevant in the RCMPs responsibility to uphold the law.

 

[Garrett]

What does it matter if the indigenous women were victimized by indigenous men. I do not see how that (true or false) is relevant in the RCMPs responsibility to uphold the law.

I think it is a strong indicator of the systemic issues of the first nations, and if you really want to deal with the problem you have to go very deep. This would include the fact that in many cases, native self government is not working and there is a level of corruption and exploitation that is truly miserable. Concerned and empathetic tweets ain't gonna fix this one.

 

[nottyboi]

I think it is a strong indicator of the systemic issues of the first nations, and if you really want to deal with the problem you have to go very deep. This would include the fact that in many cases, native self government is not working and there is a level of corruption and exploitation that is truly miserable. Concerned and empathetic tweets ain't gonna fix this one.

I would guess that most white women victims are killed by white men as well. I would also wager most chinese women victims are killed by chinese men. Murder victims typically know their killer. So its a bullshit stat. I am not sure if there is any restriction on the RCMP in these areas, but if the people are reporting crimes to the RCMP and it is in their jurisdiction, then they have the responsibility to clear the case.

 

[Butler1000]

I would guess that most white women victims are killed by white men as well. I would also wager most chinese women victims are killed by chinese men. Murder victims typically know their killer. So its a bullshit stat. I am not sure if there is any restriction on the RCMP in these areas, but if the people are reporting crimes to the RCMP and it is in their jurisdiction, then they have the responsibility to clear the case.

You are correct in your view. Most know their killer. The question is though is the community( as in the reserve population) assisting or hindering the investigations.

I'm betting the latter.

The one rep in the article called it a myth that it's the natives commiting crimes against their own. That is what they are up against. The natives would rather use the victims as political footballs than see the truth come out.

Not all the reserves are like this. But there are enough failed ones to call the problem systemic. And it isn't racist to say so. I want to see the problems resolved too. But the rampant alcoholism, domestic violence, suicides et al won't go away with fingerpointing to historical issues and more money wasted. It has to come from within. And a concerted effort to change what has become a generational welfare system and all the social problems that follow with it.

 

[Garrett]

I would guess that most white women victims are killed by white men as well. I would also wager most chinese women victims are killed by chinese men. Murder victims typically know their killer. So its a bullshit stat. I am not sure if there is any restriction on the RCMP in these areas, but if the people are reporting crimes to the RCMP and it is in their jurisdiction, then they have the responsibility to clear the case.

Go live on the reserve for awhile and tell me if you still feel that way. Go look at the FAS rates. If you think this is like any other demographic, you are sadly mistaken. There is an entrenched problem here that has been going on for decades.

 

[nottyboi]

You are correct in your view. Most know their killer. The question is though is the community( as in the reserve population) assisting or hindering the investigations.

I'm betting the latter.

The one rep in the article called it a myth that it's the natives commiting crimes against their own. That is what they are up against. The natives would rather use the victims as political footballs than see the truth come out.

Not all the reserves are like this. But there are enough failed ones to call the problem systemic. And it isn't racist to say so. I want to see the problems resolved too. But the rampant alcoholism, domestic violence, suicides et al won't go away with fingerpointing to historical issues and more money wasted. It has to come from within. And a concerted effort to change what has become a generational welfare system and all the social problems that follow with it.

That may very well be the case, but how the problem is articulated by the police and press is really poor.