RCMP criticized for handling of 1997 protest

The RCMP has been slammed for its role in riots on the Acadian Peninsula in 1997. Parents in St. Sauveur and St. Simon were protesting school closures in their towns. The Mounties sent in riot squads, dogs and tear gas. The Public Complaints Commission calls that an abuse of power and improper conduct.

Conrad Boudreau was one of many who filed complaints against the RCMP following the May 2 - 4 weekend in 1997. Today he's pleased with the findings of the commission.

That shows we're not wrong, we were right.

The report says there was no need for riot squads at St. Sauveur. Parents were demonstrating peacefully against the closure of schools in the area. The report says police overreacted and did not give proper warning of what they were about to do.

The commission says the demonstration two days later in St. Simon was different. Demonstrators had blocked roads with bonfires, and were armed with rocks and flares. The report says there was just cause for what the police did although it did say there was no need to use police dogs while arresting 16 people. Seven people were bitten.

Of the 16 people arrested, 12 were held overnight in jail, including a minor. The report says that was done without just cause. None was ever charged.

The commission was also critical of police behaviour after the riots. An RCMP sergeant sent three emails to officers asking all those involved to file reports on their actions that weekend. Only 35 responded. The commission says it's alarming to find that almost 75 per cent ignored their superior's orders.

The commission makes more than 30 recommendations on how senior officers, dog handlers and special squads should be trained and monitored in dealing with such incidents. It also suggests letters of apology be written to about 20 people arrested or injured during the riots.

RCMP Insp. Kevin Vickers apologised to the people of St. Simon and St. Sauveur on behalf of the police.

"Regrettably, mistakes were made and we have learned from this experience," he said.

Inspector Ken Vickers says the Mounties have already implemented many of the report's recommendations.

Reactive enforcement models are now models of last resort. Facilitators trained in alternate dispute resolution are now our first response. Our focus is on dialogue . We bring stakeholders together to resolve and more importantly, prevent conflict.

Conrad Boudreau says he hopes the RCMP has learned.

I hope they're going to follow that, and if they follow that, we're going to feel more secure about our police, because the way they acted in St. Sauveur was scary.