The Saskatchewan RCMP responded with a statement Friday to Red Pheasant Cree Nation’s concerns that allege the RCMP acted too late, related to the discovery of a suspected homicide earlier in the week.
Chief Clint Wuttunee and Red Pheasant Council said in a statement distributed by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) March 9 they are “saddened by the tragic loss of a young man from our community,” also noting the trauma to the family and community. The release went on to say that “proactive involvement by RCMP could have prevented this unnecessary death,” and that despite previous pleas for earlier involvement to assist in relation to gang and drug violence, “the RCMP become involved when it is too late.”
Major Crimes Unit began investigating the death of a deceased 21-year-old male this week after his body was found on a roadway in the Cree Nation on Sunday. Reportedly there was an argument at a residence where the man had then left after being fatally injured. The incident is still under investigation and an increased police presence in the community continues.
Red Pheasant council also took issue with the victim’s body being visible for several hours, which they said traumatized many children and families unnecessarily. They added that this wouldn’t have occurred off-reserve.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement March 11 their priority is “the safety and security” of communities and people they serve.
Police said they are committed to continuing to work with communities and provide “the most efficient and effective policing services possible,” being responsive to Saskatchewan communities’ needs.
“Our service approach is based on consultation with communities. North Battleford Detachment is using a flexible, community-led model to engage with communities,” the statement said.
Police said North Battleford RCMP officers respond to calls for service and proactively patrol Red Pheasant Cree Nation and all other communities in their detachment area. As the provincial police service, the Saskatchewan RCMP have many resources that supplement the work frontline detachment officers do every day, adding that this includes Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan Unit, Gang Task Force and Crime Reduction Teams, “which have proven effective in taking drugs, firearms and criminals out of our communities.”
“We acknowledge that Red Pheasant Cree Nation is grieving the tragic loss of a community member,” the statement read. “The Saskatchewan RCMP values our relationships with community leadership and members. We are committed to being responsive to a community’s specific policing needs – consultation and collaboration is key to this. The RCMP will continue to collaborate with Red Pheasant Cree Nation and other community services and partners to address concerns they may have.”
Police went on to say that every investigation and situation is unique.
“Generally speaking, circumstances such as examination of a scene by the investigating unit and the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service must be completed to ensure proper documentation and preservation of evidence specific to an investigation,” the statement read.
“While we cannot provide specifics due to the ongoing investigation, officer safety reasons existed, which impacted our investigators and the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service from examining the scene – an open road area – immediately.”
Police said they issued a release March 6 advising the public of an increased police presence, which included the RCMP Critical Incident Response Team, at Red Pheasant Cree Nation and to avoid the area after officers responded to a firearms complaint.
They said any further information is considered evidence that would be disclosed during court proceedings.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said they continue to investigate the homicide on Red Pheasant First Nation, adding that all investigations are taken seriously. Currently RCMP resources from multiple units are involved in the investigation. Police say many interviews have been completed and scene examinations done.
“Our local North Battleford RCMP Detachment is dedicated to addressing any concerns the Red Pheasant First Nation community and leadership has,” Saskatchewan RCMP said in the release. “The RCMP working together, collaboratively, with the communities we serve and other key community services and partners, is how together we can effect change.”
The RCMP added that their thoughts are “with the family of the deceased and the community during this tragic time.”
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