Edmonton Police Watch

EDMONTON SUN

AJAY BHARDWAJ, February 28, 2005

Edmonton cops are furious after a human- rights report from the U.S. State Department took a swipe at them for alleged human-rights abuses. “It is a cheap shot,” said Tony Simioni of the Edmonton Police Association.

“It’s inaccurate and therefore unfair, and adds a stigma to the Edmonton Police Service.”

The State Department released its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004 on Monday.

(more…)

(Copyright Edmonton Journal 2005)

Force must accept civilian oversight to regain trust

It took an incident involving two high-profile Edmontonians to really bring home why we need better civilian oversight of the police. The stakeout involving police commission chairman Martin Ignasiak and Sun columnist Kerry Diotte suddenly created that uneasy feeling. Could anyone become a target of the few bad apples in the police force?

(more…)

(Copyright Calgary Herald 2005)

There was a very simple way former Edmonton police chief Fred Rayner could have avoided sanction and kept his job. Instead of calling a bungled sting operation a routine investigation and clearing the seven officers involved, he could have done the right thing and held them accountable.

(more…)

(Copyright Edmonton Journal 2005)

John Howard Society offers suggestions to address alleged misconduct by police

The recent media storm concerning alleged activities of a small group of members of the Edmonton Police Service, the police response, and the resulting cloud of suspicion that has settled over the Edmonton Police Service, could have been avoided.

On Jan. 13, the John Howard Society of Alberta released a paper entitled An Examination of Citizen Involvement in Complaints Regarding Police, which traces the history of policing in Canada within the context of conflict between police services and the citizenry.

(more…)

EDMONTON SUN

By MAX MAUDIE, Feb. 9, 2005

Embattled former police Chief Fred Rayner was yesterday caught in another inconsistency. Earlier in the day, the Sun requested from the Edmonton Police Commission the disclosure of parts of Rayner’s briefing notes to the commission. Those were notes summing up his actions over the Overtime operation.

Rayner presented a report clearing seven officers of targeting the head of the Edmonton Police Commission, Martin Ignasiak, and Sun columnist Kerry Diotte in a drunk-driving sting operation. But, as a result of an investigation - conducted by the Calgary Police Service - into the case, two officers now face Police Act charges related to the November probe at the downtown Overtime Broiler and Tap Room, 10304 111 St.

Traffic supervisor Staff Sgt. Bill Newton is charged with discreditable conduct and insubordination regarding his handling of information that led to police interest in Diotte.

(more…)

EDMONTON SUN

By DAN PALMER, Feb. 9, 2005

Acting police Chief Darryl Da Costa’s is concerned about public perception in the wake of the Overtime probe but is trying to stay focused on day-to-day operations, say cops. “Acting Chief Da Costa’s immediate priorities are the day-to-day operation of the police service and managing this sudden change,” city police spokesman Annette Bidniak said yesterday. “The citizens of Edmonton need the police 24 hours a day, every day, and Acting Chief Da Costa is focusing on continuing to provide them the best service possible.”

(more…)

EDMONTON SUN

By DOUG BEAZLEY, Feb. 9, 2005

A man accusing a city police officer of beating him clammed up in the middle of his testimony yesterday, claiming he fears for his safety once the case concludes. “After this, what’s going to happen to me?” Peter Van Eck asked the Law Enforcement Review Board panel.

“Am I going to be a sitting duck? I don’t want to be nervous every time I see a squad car. Who’s going to protect me?”

The LERB is hearing a complaint filed by the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association on behalf of Van Eck and Ed Mahar, vendors employed by Our Voice magazine.

(more…)

(Copyright The Sault Star 2005)

Alberta Solicitor General ponders calling public inquiry

EDMONTON (CP) — Edmonton’s police chief, who has been under fire for a police sting operation roundly condemned as unethical and unconscionable, went on indefinite medical leave Monday.

“The Edmonton Police Commission was just notified through counsel for Police Chief Fred Rayner that effective immediately he is on a medical leave of absence and deputy chief Darryl da Costa has been appointed acting chief,” police commission chairman Martin Ignasiak told reporters.

(more…)

(Copyright Calgary Herald 2005)

Critics feared an internal police investigation into the misconduct of Edmonton police officers would turn out to be a whitewash. The release of shocking audiotape transcripts this weekend proves them right.

The investigation began after it appeared Edmonton police specifically targeted Edmonton Sun reporter Kerry Diotte and police commission chair Martin Ignasiak in a drunk-driving sting operation.

(more…)