The Ontario Provincial Police have charged eight OPP officers with Police Service Act offences after a Chippewa band member's first nations flag and his photograph of the Oka standoff were defaced early this year.
On Jan. 12, Chippewa of the Thames First Nations police called OPP officers for help in dealing with an armed man who had barricaded himself in a residence, said Chief Kelly Riley of the Chippewa police. After he agreed to surrender, members of the central tactics and rescue unit entered the home.
A week and a half later, the man approached Chief Riley to complain that his property was defaced. Several large Xs were drawn through his first nations warriors flag with a ballpoint pen. Another large X had been drawn through the image of a native protester facing off against a Canadian soldier in a newspaper clipping he kept encased in plastic for protection.
The OPP disbanded the central tactics and rescue unit, based in Barrie, Ont., and charged the eight members after an investigation by its internal professional standards bureau.
The OPP, in consultation with Crown counsel, decided against criminal charges.
"The time factor is part of the investigation; it shouldn't have taken as long as it did," said Superintendent William Crate, commander of the OPP's corporate communications bureau. "We believe the officers intentionally misled us during the investigation.
"It's all about building a culture of trust," he said, referring to the relationship between the first nations people and the OPP.
"The deceit just makes it worse. That's why we disbanded that team."
Chief Riley said the man's brother had given him the flag. "So it has a large sentimental value. The flag, undoubtedly along with the picture, will be replaced but perhaps it's not the same thing.
"What that flag represents is the warrior society, which has been in existence for centuries and centuries. . . . When you deface something like that, depending on how you look at it, it's offensive. It may only be nylon, but on the other hand it symbolizes something."
If found guilty, the eight officers may face demotion or firing. Another seven are facing internal discipline, which can range from counselling to 24 hours loss of pay.
The four-person Chippewa policing team responds to the community of about 1,000 Chippewa members and 250 Munsee-Delaware members of the Thames First Nation, said Chief Riley. The Thames First Nation is in southwestern Ontario, about 36 kilometres southwest of London.
"It's generally a positive-enough relationship," said Chief Riley, of the relationship between the first nations police and the OPP, "however, because of the extrajudicial execution of [native protester] Dudley George, the OPP have not been allowed in [to Chippewa First Nation territory].
"The people here really want policing by our own people," said Chief Riley. "We are perfectly capable of providing our own policing around here . . . [but] we don't have the money to be able to do it."
The OPP provides native awareness training to members of all ranks, said Supt. Crate.
But he added, "that's not to say that we can't do things better."
The first hearing is on May 12 at OPP headquarters in Orillia, Ont.
Charged with one count each of discreditable conduct and deceit are John Latouf, Ron Heinemann, Sean O'Rourke, Alex Zapotoczny, Al Penrose, Jason Kummer, Cam Cooper, and Brad Traves. Mr. Latouf and Mr. Heinemann have both been suspended from duty. The other men have been reassigned.