John Barker
Northern News Services

Tuktoyaktuk (Sep 23/02) - RCMP here say they have been able to resolve two of five recent complaints accusing the Mounties of using "excessive force" in recent arrests of intoxicated persons.

One other complaint is close to resolution by Sgt. Brian Winters, the detachment commander, said Const. Alan Shepherd.

The complainant in a fourth case is temporarily out of Tuktoyaktuk at a camp, so that case can't be resolved until he returns, the officer said.

Winters had said earlier it could take up to six months at the detachment level to resolve the complaints or pass them up the RCMP chain of command. If Winters is unable to resolve the complaints, they go next to Inuvik RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gray, the area commander. If Gray is unable to resolve them, they go on to RCMP "G" Division headquarters in Yellowknife.

The fifth and most serious complaint, however, involving the Aug. 10 arrest of John Noksana Sr. remains unresolved, Shepherd confirmed. Shepherd himself is the subject of the complaint in that alleged incident.

Noksana, 55, a life-long resident of Tuk and a hamlet employee for the last 11 years, said he was mistreated during and after an arrest for public intoxication by Shepherd and Const. Yves Gravelle, both of whom were recently transferred to Tuktoyaktuk from other RCMP detachments.

Shepherd arrived June 5 after six years of aboriginal community policing in Hobbema, Alta. He said in an interview with News/North that his years of experience in Hobbema have made him sensitive to the issues surrounding aboriginal policing and working with community elders.

After Noksana's arrest, more than 200 residents signed a petition accusing the RCMP of "using unnecessary use of force" and "harassing the citizens of the community." About 40 attended a special hamlet council meeting over the matter, where anger and frustration at the RCMP spilled out publicly.

Noksana does not deny being intoxicated publicly, but said he did not cause a disturbance or resist arrest. He said in an interview with News/North Sept. 12 that RCMP have yet to meet with him to discuss his complaint.

"He (Winters) stopped me on the street and said, "Let's get together,' " but it has yet to happen, Noksana said, adding he intends to pursue his complaint up the chain of command with the RCMP if it isn't resolved by his court date Wednesday.