Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 02/00) - The Northwest Territories Government is under fire from some of its employees for failing to fire a resource officer who was jailed for illegal hunting.

The Renewable Resources Officer's Association is unhappy that Rick Sanderson is still employed by the government even though he is currently serving a four-month sentence in the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre in Hay River.

The department recently told News/North that it views the training of wildlife officers as an investment and are still reviewing Sanderson's status.

"For our senior managers to suggest that he may have his job back is something they will have to answer to the public," said Keith Hickling, chair of the association.

"Sanderson made a serious error in judgment and is paying the price for that fateful decision. The deliberate killing of an endangered species, a wood bison, is an open theft of this animal from all Northerners."

On Aug. 30 the Fort Providence wildlife officer was sentenced to two months in jail on each of three charges, hunting outside legal jurisdiction, outside of season and giving false information to a peace officer. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

Two sentences are being served at the same time while the third two-month sentence will served after the first two.

During sentencing, Judge Robert Halifax said Sanderson's employment should be in jeopardy.

"We have a wildlife officer participating in illegal hunts and then lying to his supervisors to try to cover up," he said. "Now obviously, Mr. Sanderson, your employment may well be at risk, as it should be with this kind of behaviour."

The officer's association is also critical of the RWED's training practices, and said it should ensure officers are informed of enforcement practices.

"The Sanderson case transcripts clearly illuminate a number of issues," Hickling said. "Mr. Sanderson, after being appointed to his officer position, attended only one course in six years relating to law enforcement. This is the current practice to train and educate our enforcement officers."

Hickling said "the month of August for our department was a sad one. We lost a valuable enforcement officer who found employment with the federal government. He quit because of lack of training and attention to field services and another officer is in jail.

"This month should be a red flag for our minister and cabinet to assist our association," he said.

"The NWT public has the right to have their natural resources protected. (Renewable resource officers) are working to keep (environmental) legislation active and not just be a smokescreen to the public."

A spokesperson for RWED Minister Joe Handley said the minister would not comment on the case.