DENINU K'UE/FORT RESOLUTION
An internal investigation into the alleged assault of a Fort Resolution elder at the hands of an RCMP officer has concluded, and the territorial police force is now handing the investigation over to an outside police force.

Margo Edjericon lodged a public complaint against a local RCMP officer after she said her mother Loretta, above, suffered a black eye and bruised arm after being elbowed in the face and pinned to a wall by police searching the house for another woman who was believed to have breached her probation. Margo now says she wasn't happy with the accusatory tone of the NWT officers who originally looked into her complaint. - photo courtesy of Margo Edjericon

G Division RCMP issued a news release Oct. 14 stating that a staff sergeant had led an internal investigation into the matter and "senior management reviewed the file and have ordered an external review of the case."

"We understand the public requires transparency so that their trust in the RCMP as upholders of Canadian law remains intact," the release states. "We will update the public as we receive the findings of the independent file review."

The news comes more than three weeks after claims 71-year-old Loretta Edjericon was elbowed in the face by an RCMP officer while her daughter was being pinned to the ground by another officer. The two RCMP members were searching the home on Sept. 20 for a woman believed to have breached the terms of her probation.

Const. Elenore Sturko, spokesperson for the RCMP's 'G' Division, could not give details as to why the investigation was turned over to an outside agency or why it took so long to do so.

"It was always something that was an option that was available to the division," said Sturko. "I can't give you a specific detail that would say ... 'because this happened that's why we're doing it.'"

Sgt. Jason Graham with the Medicine Hat Police Service will be in charge of reviewing the RCMP's investigation. As of press time Graham had not received the file from the RCMP, however he said his investigation would be thorough and independent from NWT RCMP supervision.

"We will do whatever it takes to make sure it is looked at properly," he said. "If that means coming back up to Yellowknife to do our own investigation in addition to what's already been done then that's what we'll do."

Margo Edjericon, daughter of Loretta, said she was relieved to hear the investigation was being turned over to another police force. She said she was not happy with the way two officers - one from Yellowknife and another from Hay River - interviewed both her and her mother during the internal investigation.

According to her, the officers accused her mother of drinking with another individual the night before the alleged incident and suggested that is how she received the bruise on her face. Edjericon said her mother had indeed been drinking the night before the incident occurred but that she was by herself and her injuries were caused by the actions of the officer.

"They accused me of lying," she said. "That's what they were trying to say, that it happened the night before.

"I wasn't very happy with the way they handled it. I'm glad that a different police (force) is investigating it, not from around the NWT."

Sturko said police would not release new information regarding the investigation until the independent review is wrapped up.

"We want to be transparent but we also have to maintain the integrity of the investigation," she said.

As of press time the officer accused of committing the assault remains on active duty, said Sturko.

Last week, Deninu K'ue Chief Louis Balsillie, who is the son of Loretta Edjericon, warned there is growing animosity toward police in Fort Resolution. In an interview with News/North, he suggested that if RCMP tried to approach his nephews, "they'll probably try to fight with them."

Balsillie did not return a request for comment on the independent investigation by press time.

Sturko said RCMP sat down with the chief to alleviate potential fears of a confrontation since his comments were made.

"Those concerns have been addressed in meetings with the chief," she said.

Sturko said RCMP will continue to meet with the chief throughout the investigation.

"We're keeping them updated on everything," she said.

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