Cape Breton First Nation says relationship with RCMP damaged
Posted Dec 18, 2009 06:12:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The criminal investigation into the shooting death of a Wagmatcook man by an RCMP officer may be over but the community’s fight for justice is not.
Halifax Regional Police have closed the book on its investigation into the RCMP shooting of John Simon, but Brian Arbuthnot – director of operations for Wagmatcook First Nation – says the community is hiring a private investigator.
“We had a discussion Wednesday with somebody outside the province,” Arbuthnot said. ” They’re considering the option of coming to the community in early January to do a review.”
There’s a question as to whether RCMP will continue to police the community.
Arbuthnot says the lack of police transparency in the December 2008 shooting has changed the relationship.
“There’s a huge distrust unfortunately, because there’s been a pretty good history within the community with the RCMP,” he said. “Up until about a year ago when this started taking place.”
Arbuthnot adds, members are discussing whether or not to file a civil suit.
