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VOL. 25 NO. 46
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Officer used excessive force A TERRACE RCMP officer is awaiting discipline for using excessive force against one person and whether or not he’ll be found to have used excessive force against a second person. Both circumstances stem from high-profile arrests made of two men in two separate cases last year in which injuries were suffered by both. “The officer is the same officer in both cases and is currently suspended from duty with pay,” said RCMP Inspector Dana Hart, the officer in charge of the local RCMP detachment, about the officer who is so far unidentified. Members of the RCMP are subject to discipline under the RCMP Act if found to have violated the force’s code of conduct. In both circumstances, the officer was investigated under Section 39(1) of RCMP regulations stating, in part “a member shall not engage in any disgraceful or disorderly act or conduct that could bring discredit on the Force.” The finding of excessive force against the officer relates
to the May 2012 arrest of William Watts, then 37, who initially called police to report a woman breaching her conditions to not consume alcohol. Police at the time said after the woman was arrested at a residence on Davis Ave., Watts became agitated and aggressive toward others, including children at the residence. Officers then arrested Watts, describing his behaviour as aggressive and non-compliant, and that he was going to spit in the face of an officer. Officers said they then placed a spit hood over his face, a covering which prevents people from spitting at others. The BC Civil Liberties Association later demanded an investigation, saying Watts “received multiple head injuries and alleges he was punched after he was handcuffed, subjected to racial taunts, and had his head put in a bag by police.” Watts filed a complaint which RCMP then investigated. “In the Mr. Watts matter, the code of conduct [investigation]
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
was initiated as a result of information that came to light during the public complaint investigation, in which Mr. Watts was a full participant,” said Hart. One officer was found to have been in contravention of one section of the RCMP Code of Conduct, he added. “Discipline is to be determined and ranges from a reprimand to dismissal,” he said. Hart is still determining his next steps in the second situation in which Robert Wright was arrested in April 2012 after police received a report of a possible impaired driver. While in police custody, Wright, then 47, was injured and after being taken to local hospital three times during the night, was taken to the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster for intensive treatment. During that time, Wright suffered a brain injury and now requires full-time care. Because of the circumstances of the incident, Hart asked that an independent investigation be done. Cont’d Page A32
Agreement in principle approved by Kitselas MEMBERS of the Kitselas First Nation have approved a land claims agreement in principle, containing core elements they will now take forward in final treaty talks with the federal and provincial governments. Of 226 ballots counted Feb. 20, 149 said ‘yes’ to the agreement and 76 said ‘no’. There was one rejected ballot. “The Kitselas people made history today,” said Kitselas Chief Councillor Judy Gerow in a statement released last night once voting was concluded.
“And that is very good news day for Kitselas, Terrace and the region. It is humbling to be part of this.” “This will be a huge benefit to the City of Terrace and to the region,” said Gerow. “Our many non-aboriginal business partners, friends and neighbours stand to benefit directly from this economic certainty.” “This overwhelming “yes” vote signals a major step towards a final treaty, a way for us to break free from the Indian Act,” she said.
There were 434 voters eligible to cast votes, making the turnout at 52 per cent and a 66 per cent ‘yes’ vote of those who did vote. Of those who did vote, 64 did so by mailing in ballots. The agreement in principle contains cash, land, self government powers and provisions for taxation for the Kitselas First Nation, which has two main residential areas, one along Queensway in Thornhill and a larger subdivision at Gitaus, east of Terrace on Hwy16.
Cont’d Page A12
STAFF PHOTO
■■ Happy New Year stephen Johnson packs a box drum into a bus Feb. 22 for a trip to Gitwinksihlkw in the Nass Valley, the site of the past weekend’s Hobiyee celebrations. Hobiyee is the Nisga’a New Year and the box drum was used by the Gitlaxdax dance group.
Men of faith
Moving forward
B-ball bonanza
Missionaries stop in Terrace as part of their two-year mission trip \COMMUNITY A19
Power line project enters new phase as poles start to be installed \NEWS A5
School basketball season is winding down here in Terrace, B.C. \SPORTS A28