Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 09/02) - Six months after an investigation was launched, police refuse to answer questions about one their officer's conduct.

"If this officer comes under question, that leaves everyone questioning the integrity of the RCMP," Arlene Hache said last week.

Arlene Hache: She wants some answers.

Hache runs the YK Women's Centre. Like many Yellowknifers, she wants to know exactly what the RCMP officer is accused of and what's being done to complete the investigation. With a clientele that is often at risk from abusive partners, the Women's Centre tries to work closely with the police.

Hache and others may have to wait a long time for answers.

"The position of the commanding officer and the position of the force is that we are under no obligation to answer questions," said Sgt. Phil Johnson, RCMP "G" Division spokesperson.

Last July, an unidentified member of "G" Division was suspended with pay following complaints of mishandling evidence and conduct unbecoming a member of the RCMP.

Johnson said the investigation is under the provisions of the RCMP Act and not the Criminal Code.

He added that investigators do not release names of suspects unless formal charges are laid. To do otherwise would violate privacy rights and possibly jeopardize investigations.

Last July, an Edmonton-based internal investigator was dispatched to Yellowknife to deal with the case.

At the time of the investigation, Staff Sgt. Tom Raine told media, "We are going to take the time to thoroughly investigate."

Police normally don't comment on ongoing investigations. But information about the matter leaked out, and police issued a news release.

"There was suddenly a lot of media interest on the issue...there was some misinformation," said Johnson.

He added that while the media release went out for "very good reasons at the time," in retrospect, "it should have never been announced in the first place."

While the decision to release any information rests with the division's commanding officer, Johnson said Supt. Everett Summerfield will not answer questions on the matter.