Let's review what we know from the reporting by @CBCMeg and what has come from matters heard at QB last week. Mr. Chu was the subject of an internal investigation. He was found guilty on one count of discreditable conduct, and a 5-year letter of reprimand was put on his file.
Importantly to our story, an external file review (again, by police, just a different police service) found no reason to pursue the matter on a criminal basis (!), so off they went back to CPS for what amounts to a human resources hearing. "Professional standards," they call it.
The survivor of this episode pursued appeals for NINE YEARS. They filed complaints against the investigating officers and appealed the matter to the LERB. It took so long, in fact, that the survivor graduated high school university, and went in to the work force.
It's actually breathtaking when you write it out like that: that's how long it took, and how dogged this survivor had to be, to pursue police accountability. And now, all these years later, she's at QB.
When people say, "oh well that was a long time ago," the answer is YES THAT IS THE PROBLEM! The police complaints, investigation, disciplinary and appeals processes - are convoluted, time consuming, costly, do not result in deterrence, and ill-suited to ensuring public trust.
I mean, Sean Chu should have been disqualified from public life a long time ago, had this survivor's complaints and appeals been appropriately heard.
This is not just for the Muni Affairs Minister to deal with. The Justice Minister can also respond to this by directing all AB police services to fix their complaints & investigation processes, then bring in changes to clean up the dog's breakfast that is the Police Act.
How does he do that, you ask? Well there's the recommendations of the Arkinstall Inquiry, a Public Inquiry that reported in 2018, in to police misconduct complaints, investigations and outcomes. All police services should have to implement the pieces the CPS already has.
And the province should resource that implementation, including a better public portal for how to file complaints and what to expect. The Minister can also be very clear with police services about what constitutes a "serious & sensitive" matter & require appropriate notification.
...and if that notification doesn't happen, he can clearly communicate there will be serious consequences. The Minister can also - without changing the Act - issue new policing standards in terms of what will constitute a firing offense. Surely this conduct qualifies.
Seen through the lens of what we know about sexual assault and sexual harassment, what we know about police misconduct and disciplinary outcomes, what the public expects in terms of accountability, it is in the public interest for the gov't to substantively respond to this issue.
I'm pleased my colleague @JanisIrwin is standing up for this women, a victim of very serious gender-based police misconduct, and ensuring there are appropriate consequences.
And to the woman who has seen this through from the beginning: I know you're out there, somewhere, and I hope this message gets through to you. I see you, I believe you, and I know none of this is easy. I'm with you. #ableg
That feeling of being constantly on edge vis a vis my own safety has been something I have also lived with for more than 6 years.
For me, it hasn’t been people defacing my office so much as *literally* being targeted by the local police force. #lethbridge#yql
The first examples of targeting and victimization were justified - by the officers themselves - by their disagreement with my political decisions. There were no substantive consequences for those actions, and in fact the LPS hid the disciplinary process from me!
It’s pretty well-known in political circles that O’Toole campaign was furious w/ Kenney last night, because he didn’t wait to bring in restrictions etc until after Sept 20.
Also obvious: @jkenney basically bodychecked Hinshaw off the podium when media asked about timing (contd)
…of her recommendations (at 7:15 MDT in the presser last night). I suspect they’ve been sitting on action due to the federal campaign. But when 24 people died in 24 hours, even these ghouls could stall no longer. #cdnpoli#ableg
The result is disastrous performances like O’Toole’s embarrassing non-answers above. Just a shocking lack of character and judgement. #cdnpoli#ableg
Billions in underperformance by AIMCo, and this AM the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee meets to discuss the Annual Report. But the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer are a no show 🤦♀️ #ableg#handsoffmypension
For 7 years and 26 straight meetings in a row, the CEO or the CIO have shown up & taken responsibility for their stewardship of our Heritage Fund. But not today, and results aren’t good #ableg#handsoffmypension
Last calendar year, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board delivered a 12.1% return vs AIMCo's 2.5%. What does that mean? In one year, that underperformance cost Albertans $11.4 billion #AbLeg
We are about to head in to the Heritage Fund meeting . 1. We got the Annual Report on Thursday. MLAs were given less than 24 hours to read it. 2. For the first time in 26 meetings, the CEO, CIO of AIMCO (or board chair) aren't showing up to the Committee. (thread) #ableg
Over the past calendar year AIMCo delivered returns of 2.5%, while the CPPIB delivered returns of 12.1%. If CPPIB had been managing Albertans’ pensions and Crown holdings (like the Heritage Fund), we would have been better off to the tune of $11.4 billion this year alone.
While AIMCo’s performance on a fiscal year basis relative to the CPPIB is slightly better, we still experienced relative losses of over $5 billion. Albertans rightly deserve to have AIMCo’s most senior officials appear and answer for the organization's poor performance.
It’s always been interesting to me that the Police Commission has been silent on their responsibilities. As has Leth East MLA Nathan Neudorf. He hasn’t said a word on this topic. His colleagues have been clear. The local MLA who should be just as concerned as I am? Not so much.
The Commission’s complicity in the whole affair has demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of their civilian oversight mandate. Their inaction and learned helplessness has been disappointing, at best. At worst, they contribute to a shocking abrogation of democratic norms.
In an alternate reality, UCP:
✅ Gave direct transfers to laid-off workers & easy-to-navigate, straightforward $ to business, instead of waiting for Ottawa to do it
✅ Laser-focused on testing, rapid testing, contact tracing and isolation benefits
✅paid sick leave
(Thread)
✅ Hired EAs, teachers and used community space to rethink classrooms and social distancing in Sept 2020, instead of sitting on their asses March-August and then somehow being surprised when parents &teachers were worried & outbreaks spread in Nov-Dec
✅ Eliminated the mind-numbing stupidity of the bureaucracy around the critical worker benefit, and just gave it to as many folks as possible, as soon as possible, because more money circulating in the economy makes sense both for the bottom line and everyone’s mental health