Native leaders call for inquiry into Winnipeg police after fatal shooting

Wed Aug 6, 12:38 AM

By Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG - Angry Manitoba aboriginal leaders are demanding a public inquiry into the Winnipeg police following the shooting death of a native man who had a relative gunned down by officers in 1988.

Craig McDougall, 26, was shot by police on Saturday after officers said he refused repeated demands to drop a knife.

Family and friends of McDougall cried and sobbed at a news conference Tuesday as aboriginal leaders lashed out at police over the shooting.

"I also want to take this time ... to extend an olive branch to (police chief) Keith McCaskill so we can sit at a table and talk about how we are going to reduce not only crime, but the killing sprees that seem to be enjoyed by the Winnipeg Police Service," said Grand Chief Morris Swan-Shannacappo of the Southern Chiefs Organization, which represents dozens of First Nations in the province.

"It looks like the Winnipeg Police Service is acting like the top dog or the No. 1 gang in the city of Winnipeg."

McDougall's death has reopened wounds from the 1988 killing of J.J. Harper, an unarmed aboriginal man whose death at the hands of police led to a public inquiry and sweeping recommendations to overhaul the justice system.

McDougall was a distant relative of Harper. An uncle on his father's side is married to Harper's sister.

McCaskill offered his condolences to McDougall's family and told a news conference Tuesday afternoon that officers don't take the decision lightly to use deadly force.

"We all learned from the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry. One of the things we learned was not to draw conclusions on an instant or release details prior to the completion of an investigation. Doing so compromised the investigative process and many believe tainted the outcome of that investigation."

The shooting has also added to growing tension between Winnipeg police and aboriginal groups. Just last month, Michael Langan, 17, died after being Tasered. Police said that he, too, refused to drop a knife.

Winnipeg police have also come under scrutiny in the recent inquest into the death of Matthew Dumas, who was shot on a street in 2005 after coming at an officer with a screwdriver. The judge heading the inquest is expected to issue her report by year's end.

"It is unacceptable for the police (to) have killed our youth," said Chief David Harper of the Garden Hill First Nation.

Winnipeg police called such public questioning of their conduct hurtful. The union that represents officers said police have few alternatives in dealing with suspects who are armed with a knife or other sharp weapon and refuse to drop it.

"There are a lot of Monday morning quarterbacks out there that are willing to look in hindsight and find fault," said Mike Sutherland, president of the Winnipeg Police Association.

"You really have split seconds to make decisions with aggressive, armed individuals."

In police training courses, officers are taught to draw their guns and not allow suspects armed with a sharp weapon within eight metres of them.

McDougall's relatives said they don't believe he was armed with a knife. He was talking on a cellphone with his girlfriend, who heard four shots fired, Harper said Tuesday.

However, McCaskill told reporters police did collect a knife from the scene but wouldn't confirm if a cellphone was found.

Manitoba Attorney General Dave Chomiak said under provincial law, the force's investigation will be reviewed by an outside agency once it's finished. The law also requires a judicial inquest to be held into McDougall's death since it involved police.

Chomiak rejected calls for a public inquiry into the Winnipeg force.

"There's an investigation ongoing that isn't complete, so I don't think it's appropriate to go down that road," he said.