[HPN] Native abuse complaints now coming from Regina

[Graeme Bacque]

Native abuse complaints now coming from Regina
Police investigating claims similar to Saskatoon allegations

By Martin O'Hanlon
Canadian Press

REGINA - A racial firestorm engulfing Saskatoon police over allegations 
officers mistreated aboriginals - possibly leading to several deaths - has 
spread to Regina.

The Regina force's internal affairs unit is investigating a similar 
complaint to one filed last week by a native man in Saskatoon, who says he 
was dropped off outside that city during the winter's freezing cold.

Another native man says two officers dumped him on the outskirts of Regina 
last summer as punishment, Sergeant Dave Wyatt said yesterday.

``They will look into the allegations, investigate them to the fullest and 
then, once all the information has been gathered, it will be turned over to 
Saskatchewan justice,'' he said.

Wyatt wouldn't release any other details but said he hasn't heard of police 
abandoning people in their custody.
``Being a member for 18 years, I've never seen it done,'' he said.

The deaths and allegations have inflamed already-strained tensions between 
police and the aboriginal community in the province.

The RCMP are still investigating the Saskatoon complaint, as well as 
suggestions police there may have been involved in the deaths of up to four 
aboriginal men - two of whom where found frozen outside the city.

Saskatoon police Chief Dave Scott tried to calm native people's anger last 
week by suspending two officers accused of abandonment. But he emphasized 
there is no evidence linking them to the deaths.

The RCMP are investigating the deaths of Rodney Naistus, 25, and Lawrence 
Wegner, 30.

Naistus's frozen body was found Jan. 29 near a power plant just outside 
Saskatoon.

On Feb. 3, Wegner's body was spotted in the same area. He was last seen 
alive a few days earlier running from a house after police were called.

The RCMP are also looking into two other aboriginal deaths. Lloyd Joseph 
Dustyhorn was found frozen to death Jan. 19 outside a Saskatoon apartment 
building hours after his release from police custody.

And on the weekend, a 33-year-old man died at home after being released by 
police.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations said it has received dozens 
of complaints about police abuse. It is demanding a public inquiry into how 
the justice system deals with aboriginals.

Chris Axworthy, the province's justice minister, said he will consider an 
inquiry once the RCMP investigation is complete.
``There's great concern, as there should be, about these allegations,'' 
Axworthy said.

``But I think the most important thing is to address the criminal 
investigation and make decisions about the inquiry afterward.''
Wyatt acknowledged the allegations have hurt relations with aboriginals in 
the province. ``The bridges we've built over the years - this doesn't 
help,'' he said.

``We want to get to the bottom of this so it doesn't destroy what we've 
done or where we're going in the future.''