Serious accusations deserve a serious response.

That's exactly what we got after Yellowknifer reported Judge Brian Bruser's comment that RCMP Const. Scot Newberry "attacked" Devon Herback outside a downtown nightclub last Oct. 30.

The reaction from NWT's top cop, Insp. Greg Morrow, was reassuring.

"I'm not into coverups," he said, vowing: "Our investigation will flush out the facts. I will guarantee that."

It's important to note Newberry has not been convicted of any wrongdoing.

Any further action will only come after two separate internal investigations are complete.

But we, like Morrow, wonder why it took a front-page newspaper story to get action.

The most obvious question is why no one bothered to tell a senior RCMP official about the case until Yellowknifer found Bruser's written ruling and contacted police for comment.

Bruser heard the case in February and released his judgment March 4. The newspaper's call came April 5.

Common sense dictates both the Crown counsel and the defence attorney in the court room should have been taken this ruling and its serious allegation directly to the senior Crown attorney, and then to RCMP headquarters.

Instead the defence attorney remained silent. The Crown's office lacked a clear-cut procedure, and the judgment languished on a desk for a month.

Talk about the wheels of justice moving slowly. We hate to think what would have happened had Yellowknifer not stumbled across the ruling.

Just as troubling is the question why this arrest wasn't flagged for review on Oct. 31, 2004.

Herback suffered a broken leg during his arrest. Was a report on the injury filed? Was there an internal investigation into how Herback was hurt? Why weren't questions raised then?

Let's hope that beyond finding out what happened outside the Raven, the police investigations explain the communication breakdown and examine procedures for reporting and investigating injuries to prisoners.

And, in the end, the findings - whether it's a criminal charge, internal reprimand or the officer is exonerated - must be made public. Otherwise, Morrow's concern about coverups will be just talk.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

Before getting to my topic this week, I'd like to make something perfectly clear right from the start.

Those who know me away from the office realize I'm the referee-in-chief (RIC) for Hockey North, covering both Hockey Nunavut and NWT Hockey.

That being said, this column concerns officials involved with all sports in Nunavut, not just hockey.

And, I'm writing this with my editor's hat pressed firmly down around my ears, and my RIC helmet tucked safely away in my kitbag.

I felt a wave of emotions when I read the list of awards given out by Sport Nunavut this past month for the years 2003 and 2004.

Other than a smile crossing my face for Kivalliq youth taking both male and female Athlete of the Year awards for 2004, none of those emotions were positive.

The reason for my dismay? Not one, repeat, not one official from any sport was recognized by Sport Nunavut for the effort they put in every year to help develop Nunavut's various sporting programs.

It's hard enough to attract new officials, let alone have the few who are putting in hundreds of hours every year be completely ignored by our governing body.

In fact, so little is being done to encourage new officials to get involved with the sport of their choice - and to help existing officials further develop their skill level - thousands of dollars are being spent every year on officials from other provinces to help with our tournaments.

The message volunteers, who run virtually every sporting program in Nunavut, always send to their young athletes is to respect the officials in their sport.

However, that same respect has to be shown by the adults in our programs and that includes Sport Nunavut.

What kind of message does it send when amateur officials aren't thought enough of in this territory to have one "awarded" with a $20 plaque or T-shirt every year?

The message it sends is one of total disrespect.

Those involved with sports realize how much the level of play is improved with good officiating.

And the vast majority of parents, whose kids are on the playing field, are more at ease when competent officials provide as safe an environment as the rules of a sport allow for their children to compete in.

Obviously, this is all lost on Sport Nunavut.

While the athletes, coaches and volunteers should always get top billing in any sport, to ignore those who ensure a level playing field is a gross oversight.

It has now been about three weeks since Sport Nunavut promised Kivalliq News an explanation as to why Nunavut's sports officials were overlooked.

And, while taking the time to explain the reasoning behind the decision to ignore their officials would be nice, admitting it was a booboo and correcting the situation would be a lot better.

As it sits right now, Sport Nunavut deserves a gross-misconduct penalty from every official in the territory.

Editorial Comment
Chris Hunsley
Inuvik Drum

Is it biting the hand that feeds you or looking a gift horse in the mouth?

March 18th, in broad daylight, Bill Rutherford, also known as Inuvik's beloved Fruitman, turned his back on four youth who'd stepped into his tractor-trailer/fruit and vegetable mart for a reprieve from the cold.

Moments later, the youth - and Rutherford's cash box - were out the door.

This is the man who travels thousands of kilometres every week, from British Columbia to the far North and back, specifically to ensure an abundance of the freshest produce for our dinner tables.

Now out of pocket around $1,500, Rutherford will undoubtedly survive.

The real loss, however, would be if this type of service were discontinued in the region because those that can't appreciate a good product and service feel the need to ruin it for others.

Was that money for a loaf of bread to feed a starving man?

Probably not. If it was, why didn't they grab a bag of carrots instead?

Proceeds from that crime have more than likely found their way into some of the less reputable business ventures in the area.

All four youth are well known to police and one has since been charged with theft under $5,000.

Two others are expected to receive the same charge once they are located.

Even after being caught, however, the youth refused to make amends for his wrongdoing.

This is where we locals can show Rutherford our appreciation of his regular endeavours to keep us healthy.

The youth may refuse to hand over the unlikely-to-be-cashed-without-a-forthcoming-fraud-charge cheques that filled Rutherford's cash box, but those well-fed shoppers who wrote them could simply sign their names to another.

Rutherford may not recoup all of his losses, but this is the action that will have the most impact.

Conversely, if someone tries to cash a fruitman cheque, dated around mid-March, it's probably a good idea to inform the police.

It's unlikely one of the thieves would try to cash one, they say, but it's possible.

What's important is that Rutherford knows he and his service are valued.

Make a point to tell him that the next time you fill your basket with some crunchy apples or beautiful greens.

Let's let him know that Inuvik would be a rotten place without our Fruitman.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh cho Drum

Here's a dog's breakfast of personal brain waves (however minimal):