NDP's Moorcroft calls on Justice Minister to Appoint Yukon Police Council
WHITEHORSE – NDP Justice Critic Lois Moorcroft today called on the Minister of Justice to establish the Yukon Police Council as a foundation for a new relationship between Yukon citizens and the RCMP.
“Yukoners raised the concerns that led to the 2010 review of Yukon’s police force. The government committed to responding to the review’s recommendations and “implementing lasting responses” but has not followed through,” said Moorcroft.
Moorcroft made the call following recent allegations that a member of the Whitehorse RCMP assaulted a citizen. RCMP “M” Division announced this week that it will seek an independent criminal investigation into the allegations of police misconduct in the arrest of a 57-year old woman.
Creation of a Yukon Police Council is the key recommendation of “Sharing Common Ground”, the final report of the 2010 Review of Yukon’s Police Force.
“The government told Yukoners it wanted to have the Police Council operational in 2011, and we’re still waiting” said Moorcroft.
The Council of Yukon First Nations has reviewed applications and submitted three nominations for First Nations representatives on the Police Council but the Yukon government has not.
“The Yukon government should act now to appoint members to the Yukon Police Council from the applications it has been sitting on since July 2011,” said Moorcroft. “We want to see positive change in community relations with the police. The Yukon Police Council needs to be in place in order for this to occur,” said Moorcroft.