Alberta Justice handling complaint that cops relocated nine people
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008EDMONTON SUN
A criminal probe into allegations Edmonton police dropped off homeless people in a north-end neighbourhood is being referred to Alberta Justice.
The 12-month investigation by the RCMP and Edmonton commercial crime section has been completed and was forwarded Thursday to Alberta Justice’s special prosecutions branch in Calgary for a review of the evidence.
There is no word if charges are being contemplated at this time.
The allegations stem from complaints going back to May 20, 2005, when officers allegedly let a group of nine people out of a police van near 127 Avenue and 80 Street after they had been picked up on Whyte Avenue for public drunkenness.
It’s alleged the nine aboriginal people were in the van - meant to hold six - for about two hours.
It is also alleged it was hot in the van and officers were mocking the prisoners. According to Environment Canada, the high temperature that day was 19.3 C.
The investigation also looked into a similar incident that occurred in October 2006.
The RCMP began their investigation in February 2007. They are now awaiting the results of the Alberta Justice review.