[HPN] Task force investigating two more deaths in Saskatoon

[Graeme Bacque]

http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2000/02/20/rcmpdeaths000220

Task force investigating two more deaths in Saskatoon
WebPosted Sun Feb 20 23:00:51 2000

SASKATOON - Saskatoon police say that the RCMP task force looking into the 
freezing deaths of two native men has also been asked to investigate the 
deaths of two other Saskatoon native men.

One of the men died on Saturday. He had been arrested by police for 
drunkenness Friday night. Saskatoon Police Sgt. Glenn Thomson says after 
the man sobered up in a cell, he was sent home by cab. His body was found 
in the bedroom of his apartment the next morning. An autopsy will be 
conducted this week.

The task force is also looking into the case of another aboriginal man 
found frozen to death a few blocks from his home Jan. 19. There are reports 
he may also have been in police custody the same day he was found dead. 
RCMP won't confirm that, but say they're looking into the case in 
connection with the other deaths.

The task force was launched last week to investigate the deaths of two 
aboriginal men, whose bodies were found outside the city Jan. 29 and Feb. 3.

Since then, another aboriginal man, Darrell Night, has come forward with 
allegations that two police officers took him to the same area, took away 
his coat-- even though the temperature was well below zero-- and told him 
to get out of town.

The RCMP is investigating those accusations. But Saskatoon Police Chief 
Dave Scott said he had no reason to link the deaths with the complaint by 
Night.

The two officers involved in Night's complaint came forward last Monday of 
"their own free will," and were suspended for 30 days.

Earlier this week, Lawrence Joseph of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian 
Nations said reports of police harassing aboriginals and dropping them off 
on the outskirts of Saskatoon are nothing new. He says Night's experience 
was not an isolated incident and the problem is widespread.

"This is nothing short of blatant abuse of authority, abuse of power, and 
anybody who takes their dog out like that would be charged," said Joseph.