Ethics - Misconduct allegations
Kardasz: Unusual misconduct allegations from Ontario, Canada.
Runciman `offended' by OPP mugs
TheStar.com, Jan. 11, 2006, By Peter Edwards
Forest, Ontario, Canada — Former solicitor general Bob Runciman says he was offended
by the actions of Ontario Provincial Police officers who made souvenir mugs and T-shirts commemorating the police operation that ended in the death of native activist Anthony (Dudley) George.
"I thought that was an exercise in macho stupidity," Runciman testified yesterday before Justice Sidney Linden at the public inquiry into George's Sept. 6, 1995, death. "I do want to say that I was personally offended ... shocked," Runciman, now Progressive Conservative House leader at Queen's Park, told the inquiry under questioning from commission lawyer Derry Millar.
As solicitor general, Runciman was the top civilian overseer of police. However, he said he played no role in disciplining OPP officers. George was shot dead by an OPP sniper after police marched on Ipperwash Provincial Park late on Sept. 6, 1995. Acting Sgt. Kenneth Deane was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death after a judge ruled George was unarmed. The Stoney Point natives were occupying the park, near Sarnia, because they said it contained sacred burial grounds — a claim later upheld.
Within days of the shooting, officers made up several dozen "Ipperwash '95" T-shirts bearing the OPP insignia, the letters ERT and TRU — which stand for the emergency response team and tactical response units that participated at Ipperwash — and a white feather. There were also coffee mugs with an arrow going through an OPP crest.
Natives were upset, saying the arrow and feather symbolized dead warriors. Runciman also testified he doesn't believe there was political interference in the operation.
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