Tearful cop apologizes to Frank Paul's family

During his testimony on why he left an aboriginal man to die in an alley a decade ago, a Vancouver police officer offered a tearful apology to the man's family.

"We've all experienced loss in our lives, and I know what that is like," Const. David Instant said as he choked back tears while testifying at the public inquiry.

Instant told the Frank Paul inquiry that he put too much faith in the opinion of a sergeant who told him Paul wasn't intoxicated and didn't need to stay in the city's drunk tank. The sergeant had directed Instant to take Paul from the drunk tank and drop him off near the alley where the homeless man was believed to live.

Paul died of exposure after being left in the lane in December 1998.

"I know that the Paul family has experienced loss, and I get that. That is an emotional scar I will wear for the rest of my life," he said.

'That is an emotional scar I will wear for the rest of my life.' — Const. David Instant

Instant said he was sorry for Paul's death and wanted to apologize to the family in person.

David Dennis, vice-president of the United Native Nations in Vancouver, was skeptical about Instant's comments.

"It has been 10 years. He has had 10 years to get in touch with the family. He has had 10 years to express those apologies," Dennis said Friday night.

The treatment Paul experienced is typical of the way the police handle First Nations people and nothing has changed in the years since Paul died, Dennis added.

Paul, 47, a former resident of the Big Cove First Nation in New Brunswick, died on Dec. 5, 1998, of hypothermia because of exposure stemming from alcohol intoxication.

The aim of the public inquiry, which is being conducted by B.C. Supreme Court Judge William Davies, is not to find fault, but it can make recommendations on changes to police policies and procedures.