What was intended to be an apology ceremony with a Heiltsuk Nation grandfather, granddaughter and the Vancouver police officers who arrested them at a Bank of Montreal branch in 2019 has been cancelled due to the constablesB次元官网网址� lack of attendance.
Constables Canon Wong and Mitchel Tong failed to show up in Bella Bella Monday (Oct. 24) and have provided no explanation for their decisions, the Nation said.
The two were expected to deliver oral, in-person apologies at the NationB次元官网网址檚 big house for their part in racially profiling Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter Tori-Anne. Wong and Tong handcuffed and arrested the grandfather and then-12-year-old granddaughter outside a Vancouver BMO in 2019 after bank employees incorrectly reported that JohnsonB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous status card was fraudulent.
A March disciplinary decision against the two constables described them as using B次元官网网址渦nnecessary force.B次元官网网址� The two were suspended, ordered to undertake de-escalation and cultural sensitivity training and told to apologize.
B次元官网网址淚 take it very personally.B次元官网网址�
In the Heiltsuk culture, apologies must be done in person, Johnson explained Monday afternoon. Those who have caused harm are expected to acknowledge and express regret for their actions directly to those they hurt. Johnson said Wong and Tong sent him a letter apologizing, but that he made it clear to them that they should do so in person.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like theyB次元官网网址檙e stepping on our culture. TheyB次元官网网址檙e not taking into account our way of life. I take it very personally.B次元官网网址�
The absence of the constables means the ceremony cannot go ahead as planned. Instead, the Nation will host an uplifting ceremony for Johnson and his family.
NEW from Bella Bella B次元官网网址� Constables Wong & Tong are officially not attending. The apology ceremony will now be an uplifting ceremony for Maxwell Johnson and Tori-Anne.
B次元官网网址� Jane Skrypnek (@janeskrypnek)
Heiltsuk elected Chief Marilyn Slett said they view Wong and TongB次元官网网址檚 non-attendance as a symptom of the larger systemic failure to acknowledge and take responsibility for systemic racism in the Vancouver Police Department.
B次元官网网址淭his was meant to mark the beginning of a new relationship between Heiltsuk Nation, (Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs), and the Vancouver Police Board working together to address systemic racism in policing,B次元官网网址� Slett said in a statement.
B次元官网网址淭he constablesB次元官网网址� lack of willingness to walk alongside us and respect our traditions is a continuation of the discrimination that police have shown toward Indigenous people in the past.B次元官网网址�
Police board hopes assumptions arenB次元官网网址檛 made
VPD Chief Const. Adam Palmer, along with a delegation of department and police board members, will be in attendance Monday evening. The police board settled a human rights complaint with Johnson in September and has agreed to address issues of racism in the force. In the past, however, Palmer has said multiple times that he doesnB次元官网网址檛 believe systemic racism exists in Canadian policing.
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In a statement Monday, the police board said they B次元官网网址渉ope assumptions are not made regarding the constablesB次元官网网址� decision not to be at the ceremony. The board will not let this detract from the bigger picture, or our willingness to collaborate and implement change.B次元官网网址�
In response, Slett said the statement doesnB次元官网网址檛 hold much weight to her.
B次元官网网址淲hen you donB次元官网网址檛 take that responsibility and accountability to show up, you know, words can be quite empty.B次元官网网址�
The Nation said it hasnB次元官网网址檛 received an explanation to as why the constables are not coming, but that earlier communication between it and the police board suggested the Vancouver Police Union was nervous about media being in attendance.
Heiltsuk chief questions police expansion
Slett said the entire situation is making her question Mayor-elect Ken SimB次元官网网址檚 campaign promise to add 100 more police officers to the Vancouver police force.
B次元官网网址淲hy expand an institution that cannot or will not advance justice and reconciliation, or take responsibility for its actions?B次元官网网址� Slett said.
Black Press Media has reached out to the Vancouver Police Board and Sims for comment.
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