The public
is aghast that a man who issued a number of innocuous tweets on Good Friday
could be shot dead on Easter Sunday by the Premier’s bodyguard, an RNC Officer.
is aghast that a man who issued a number of innocuous tweets on Good Friday
could be shot dead on Easter Sunday by the Premier’s bodyguard, an RNC Officer.
What is troubling, is that an immediate Judicial Inquiry was not called, in
the very same manner that inspired three previous Public Inquiries where deaths had occurred at the hands of the police. Had the
Premier directed the Attorney General to commence such a process, the multitude
of questions which abound might have been muted.
the very same manner that inspired three previous Public Inquiries where deaths had occurred at the hands of the police. Had the
Premier directed the Attorney General to commence such a process, the multitude
of questions which abound might have been muted.
A man has
been shot dead. The decision-making chain which led to his death began in the
Premier’s Office. I can think of no Government that would not have ordered a
Judicial Inquiry immediately, in the circumstances.
been shot dead. The decision-making chain which led to his death began in the
Premier’s Office. I can think of no Government that would not have ordered a
Judicial Inquiry immediately, in the circumstances.
We need that judicial process to provide certainty that the rule of law has not been breached by the shooter and by others.
In its place, the public is only getting to watch a PR campaign.
In its place, the public is only getting to watch a PR campaign.
“I won’t be
able to speak to any of the evidence of the case. I have to protect the
integrity of the RCMP investigation.” The Telegram Reported RNC Chief Janes on
April 7th.
able to speak to any of the evidence of the case. I have to protect the
integrity of the RCMP investigation.” The Telegram Reported RNC Chief Janes on
April 7th.
But as the
RCMP investigation came under scrutiny, it wasn’t tight-lipped at all.
RCMP investigation came under scrutiny, it wasn’t tight-lipped at all.
By April 9th
the Telegram reported: “The RCMP said that after the officer was invited in by
Dunphy and they were talking for several minutes, Dunphy became agitated and
pointed a rifle at the officer. At that point, the RNC officer shot and killed
him.”
the Telegram reported: “The RCMP said that after the officer was invited in by
Dunphy and they were talking for several minutes, Dunphy became agitated and
pointed a rifle at the officer. At that point, the RNC officer shot and killed
him.”
By April 9th, too, the Tweets first reported as threatening are now accurately interpreted, by the
vast majority of those who have read them, as not threatening at all. Public bewilderment on social media is
palpable. The RCMP has appointed an “independent observer”, an 82 year old
retired Judge to give credibility to the investigation (a matter to which I
will return).
vast majority of those who have read them, as not threatening at all. Public bewilderment on social media is
palpable. The RCMP has appointed an “independent observer”, an 82 year old
retired Judge to give credibility to the investigation (a matter to which I
will return).
On April 10th
the CBC reports: “RCMP said that…Dunphy pointed a long-barrel firearm at the lone officer. A .22-calibre rifle
was found on the floor of Dunphy’s home. During a forensic investigation, it
was determined the gun was loaded.”
the CBC reports: “RCMP said that…Dunphy pointed a long-barrel firearm at the lone officer. A .22-calibre rifle
was found on the floor of Dunphy’s home. During a forensic investigation, it
was determined the gun was loaded.”
I am not recognizing a “tight-lipped” RCMP investigation here.
 |
| Photo Credit: CBC |
The
narrative gets even stranger.
narrative gets even stranger.
Most people
would barely be able to string a few sentences together having shot a man; but
the shooter, also on April 10th four days after the fatal encounter,
issues a 900 word letter to his “Friends and
Colleagues”.
would barely be able to string a few sentences together having shot a man; but
the shooter, also on April 10th four days after the fatal encounter,
issues a 900 word letter to his “Friends and
Colleagues”.
It contains many disturbing
elements in the context of police thinking and where policing is going in this
Province. The Chief of Police
should be asked if they are his views, too. The letter continues the narrative
that the tweets constituted a threat and that the PSU investigation constitutes
“protective policing”. The Officer does not demand an open Judicial Inquiry.
elements in the context of police thinking and where policing is going in this
Province. The Chief of Police
should be asked if they are his views, too. The letter continues the narrative
that the tweets constituted a threat and that the PSU investigation constitutes
“protective policing”. The Officer does not demand an open Judicial Inquiry.
Mr. Dunphy is dead. It is true we cannot bring him
back but we can ensure that civilized society has regard for why he died
and who is responsible.
back but we can ensure that civilized society has regard for why he died
and who is responsible.
Two fundamental
issues demand to be aired.
issues demand to be aired.
First, why
would the RCMP engage in a process that was suspect from the very beginning?
would the RCMP engage in a process that was suspect from the very beginning?
Secondly, did the RCMP understand that in appointing retired Judge David Riche as an “independent
observer”, that it might have unwittingly taken the heat off the Premier to do his duty and appoint a Judicial Inquiry?
observer”, that it might have unwittingly taken the heat off the Premier to do his duty and appoint a Judicial Inquiry?
Let’s go
back to the beginning.
back to the beginning.
Typically, when
one local police force deals with another, causing a potential conflict, an external
police investigator, like the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is chosen
because of its size and expertise. In
this investigation, despite all its ramifications, the RCMP held fast.
one local police force deals with another, causing a potential conflict, an external
police investigator, like the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is chosen
because of its size and expertise. In
this investigation, despite all its ramifications, the RCMP held fast.
The Head of the RCMP in NL must know that the Donny Dunphy tragedy has significant political implications.
The former
Police Chief Joe Browne is the Premier’s Chief of Staff. The Premier is a former RNC Constable; he has
acknowledged he is a friend of the shooter and has been in contact with the
Officer.
Police Chief Joe Browne is the Premier’s Chief of Staff. The Premier is a former RNC Constable; he has
acknowledged he is a friend of the shooter and has been in contact with the
Officer.
As to the Premier’s Office, we need to know who handed Mr. Dunphy’s tweets to the RNC Officer and with what instructions. Did someone on the eighth floor send the RNC Officer to Mitchell’s Brook? Did a member of the Premier’s staff actively direct the
PSU? This matter is important because any such
overlap between law enforcement and other governmental operations (i.e.
political) is against the law. We need to
know if the RNC Act has been violated.
These issues may be beyond the scope of an RCMP investigation. But they are matters a Judicial Inquiry would necessarily investigate. In appointing retired Judge Riche, is the RCMP is trying to insulate itself from the RNC and what occurred prior to the visit by the Officer to Mitchells Brook? We can only speculate but it is an important question.
Still, the RCMP is not off the hook by engaging retired Judge Riche.
PSU? This matter is important because any such
overlap between law enforcement and other governmental operations (i.e.
political) is against the law. We need to
know if the RNC Act has been violated.
These issues may be beyond the scope of an RCMP investigation. But they are matters a Judicial Inquiry would necessarily investigate. In appointing retired Judge Riche, is the RCMP is trying to insulate itself from the RNC and what occurred prior to the visit by the Officer to Mitchells Brook? We can only speculate but it is an important question.
Still, the RCMP is not off the hook by engaging retired Judge Riche.
A Member of
the local RCMP detachment assisted in the RNC risk assessment on Donny Dunphy and
said the man constituted a low risk. Either
that risk assessment was wrong or something happened inside the home to elevate
the risk. We don’t know which
it is; but we do know the RCMP is party to the Dunphy case in at least that one respect.
The Premier confirmed that the Force is
sometimes engaged in PSU operations. That relationship must also be explained further.
Otherwise, on what basis can we assume the RCMP is not investigating itself?
The clarification of those matters would surely strengthen the RCMP’s credibility in this sad situation; the RCMP has been around long enough to know when it should not be tight lipped.
the local RCMP detachment assisted in the RNC risk assessment on Donny Dunphy and
said the man constituted a low risk. Either
that risk assessment was wrong or something happened inside the home to elevate
the risk. We don’t know which
it is; but we do know the RCMP is party to the Dunphy case in at least that one respect.
The Premier confirmed that the Force is
sometimes engaged in PSU operations. That relationship must also be explained further.
Otherwise, on what basis can we assume the RCMP is not investigating itself?
The clarification of those matters would surely strengthen the RCMP’s credibility in this sad situation; the RCMP has been around long enough to know when it should not be tight lipped.
This is not
Ottawa, where an astute media is at the ready to titillate a national public as
it examines the entrails of every word spoken by anyone connected with an
important case. Mitchells Brook is not
likely to be staked out nor will the local or national media parse the tweets
or the actions of the Premier’s staff and the PSU. Who is a dead Donny Dunphy from
Mitchells Brook anyway, alongside a Senator Mike Duffy?
Ottawa, where an astute media is at the ready to titillate a national public as
it examines the entrails of every word spoken by anyone connected with an
important case. Mitchells Brook is not
likely to be staked out nor will the local or national media parse the tweets
or the actions of the Premier’s staff and the PSU. Who is a dead Donny Dunphy from
Mitchells Brook anyway, alongside a Senator Mike Duffy?
For that reason the
RCMP has additional responsibilities. Intended or not, the appointment of retired Judge Riche, having been given no power to do anything except observe, offers all the “appearance of impartiality” and not the real thing.
RCMP has additional responsibilities. Intended or not, the appointment of retired Judge Riche, having been given no power to do anything except observe, offers all the “appearance of impartiality” and not the real thing.
What other
conclusion can be drawn?
conclusion can be drawn?
Judge
Riche has been off the Bench for sixteen years.
He has not been asked to take over the RCMP investigation.
Riche has been off the Bench for sixteen years.
He has not been asked to take over the RCMP investigation.
He is not
offered something as basic as a “Terms of Reference”; one that can be made
public and survive that scrutiny.
offered something as basic as a “Terms of Reference”; one that can be made
public and survive that scrutiny.
Riche is
given the role of “Independent Observer”, which lawyers advise is a new concept
with no history in jurisprudence.
given the role of “Independent Observer”, which lawyers advise is a new concept
with no history in jurisprudence.
The retired Judge has been given absolutely no tool kit.
The Judge
has no authority to call witnesses, no authority to call for documentation, no
authority to call people to testify, no authority to appoint Counsel (as would
a Judge acting under the Public Inquiries Act); he has no authority to conduct
research or to cross-examine witnesses and he has no authority to examine
anyone under oath; nor can he cast his net to include the events leading to
that fateful knock on Donny Dunphy’s door.
has no authority to call witnesses, no authority to call for documentation, no
authority to call people to testify, no authority to appoint Counsel (as would
a Judge acting under the Public Inquiries Act); he has no authority to conduct
research or to cross-examine witnesses and he has no authority to examine
anyone under oath; nor can he cast his net to include the events leading to
that fateful knock on Donny Dunphy’s door.
As much as the RCMP may have had good intentions, the appointment of retired Judge Riche will not give
integrity to the investigation of the death of Donny Dunphy.
integrity to the investigation of the death of Donny Dunphy.
It will just
give an argument to those who would avoid
the appointment of a person who should be given those tools!
give an argument to those who would avoid
the appointment of a person who should be given those tools!
It will not
facilitate public examination…but it will prevent
public examination.
facilitate public examination…but it will prevent
public examination.
The tools of
independent investigation requires that the Cabinet via the Attorney
General ask the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to appoint a Judge.
independent investigation requires that the Cabinet via the Attorney
General ask the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to appoint a Judge.
In his
decision, the Chief Justice would not defer to Chief of Staff Joe Browne. He
would not consult Premier Davis. He
would pay no deference to the Head of the RCMP, nor to the Chief of the
RNC.
decision, the Chief Justice would not defer to Chief of Staff Joe Browne. He
would not consult Premier Davis. He
would pay no deference to the Head of the RCMP, nor to the Chief of the
RNC.
Control of
the investigation by the police forces and the politicians would be lost. An independent investigation would get
underway.
the investigation by the police forces and the politicians would be lost. An independent investigation would get
underway.
The chips
will fall where they may.
will fall where they may.
The
politicians would be uneasy. The RNC Chief might be fearful, too.
politicians would be uneasy. The RNC Chief might be fearful, too.
Frankly, I believe the public interest would have been better served had retired Judge David Riche refused the appointment;
it is not the right role for him, he does not possess the right standing, he
does not have the right authority.
it is not the right role for him, he does not possess the right standing, he
does not have the right authority.
The Premier may have forgotten the values to which he is sworn.
But Retired
Judge Riche might want to consider how his limited role with the RCMP is the perfect foil for Premier Paul Davis to do nothing.
The rule of law is the public’s only protection. Donny Dunphy may have been denied his most basic rights. Who will be next?
The RCMP should not facilitate Premier Davis’ gambit to diminish those rights by failing to call a Public Inquiry.
It should also justify its role in continuing the investigation and explain why the OPP has not been brought in.
Judge Riche might want to consider how his limited role with the RCMP is the perfect foil for Premier Paul Davis to do nothing.
The rule of law is the public’s only protection. Donny Dunphy may have been denied his most basic rights. Who will be next?
The RCMP should not facilitate Premier Davis’ gambit to diminish those rights by failing to call a Public Inquiry.
It should also justify its role in continuing the investigation and explain why the OPP has not been brought in.