Saskatchewan RCMP have released details to the public about results of an internal review of the member-involved shooting death of Brydon Whitstone on Oct. 21, 2017. The review identified one “procedural gap” that RCMP say has been pointed out to the force.
According to a news release from Saskatchewan RCMP, the review results were received Aug. 10. Now that the results have been shared with Whitstone’s family, it is being released to the public.
The news release noted Saskatchewan RCMP asked Manitoba RCMP to examine all the facts around the case.
“After a critical incident such as this, RCMP policy requires this review to ensure our policies and procedures were followed,” states the release. “The objectives of the review were to identify any breaches of policy, reporting requirements or training gaps; examine the circumstances surrounding the complaint, our response and the actions of our officers; and determine if the responding officers’ conduct was compliant with the RCMP Act and Regulations.
This RCMP review would have been completely separate from the independent investigation into the incident conducted by Regina Police Service, the external review whose results were announced in September, resulting in no criminal charges.
According to the RCMP, their review identified one procedural gap in regards to how the officers were managed immediately after the shooting.
“Our policy calls for those involved to be separated immediately after a critical incident such as this,” the RCMP states. “The internal review determined that Cst. [Jerry] Abbott’s removal and separation from the scene met the requirements of our policy.” Abbott was the constable who had fired the two shots that killed Whitstone.
According to the RCMP, issues came about when the responding officers came together later for an emotional/wellbeing debrief at the Battlefords RCMP Detachment between 11:40 p.m. on Oct 21 and 2 a.m. Oct. 22, 2017.
“We do not believe this had any impact on the investigation into the death of Mr. Whitstone as the evidence in its totality led to the conclusion that our officers acted reasonably and appropriately and in accordance with the Canadian Criminal Code,” says the RCMP statement.
The review did include one recommendation: that members and supervisors be retold of the importance of keeping involved members separated and reminded that they are not to discuss events in regards to this type of serious incident. According to the RCMP, this was followed through on Aug. 10 when a divisional communiqué was issued to all officers.
“Policing can be a difficult and demanding profession. At times, it calls for split-second, life-or-death decisions to be made under great duress. It is a heavy burden of responsibility that our officers carry, but it is a responsibility that we train for and that we take seriously,” concluded the news release.
