The Dark Side of the VPD

This is both sad and revealing. We were shocked when the police responding to a domestic abuse call went to the wrong door and gave the wrong guy the boots. We were encouraged when Jim Chu announced that he felt investigations into police misconduct should include public civilians. We were saddened once again when the Delta investigation into the incident proved to be a farce.

Now it appears the police are going out of their way to rationalize the Delta police's investigation with a bizarre story that just doesn't make sense. Proving that not only was the Delta investigation a farce but that something is very wrong with not only the process but with the VPD.

Without trying to burn every conceivable bridge possible I will clarify that there is not a doubt being a police officer is a very hard and often thankless job. Not every profession requires a person to put their life at risk every day. That is to be commended. As is the fact that there are more good people out there than bad and that includes Police. There are more good police than bad police. However, that doesn't mean we should lie for the bad ones or for the good ones who just make an honest mistake.

Today the Vancouver Sun ran an article showing that the police's version of events are very different from the victims version. Someone is lying. Let's give the police the benefit of the doubt for a minute and assume they aren't bending their version of events at all and are telling the truth. Their story is that they were responding to a domestic violence call. These kind of calls are dangerous and urgent. It is understandable that the police would have a sense of urgency finding the assailant and subduing him.

It's 2:25 AM. Two plain clothes police officers knock on the door. Without trying to distort the event one could conceivable visualize that the police banged on the door yelling open up, police!

So here we have a guy woken up out of bed in the middle of the night, groggy, to the sound of banging on the door with two frantic plain clothes police officers yelling open up police! My first reaction would be yeah right let's see some id. They flash a badge through the peephole and I'd be like what is that? Knowing full well that home invasions have occurred with people pretending to be police.

Let's give the police the benefit of the doubt. Let's say they did "identify" themselves as police banging on the guys door in the middle of the night by yelling open up police. My father once had a concern about police wearing balaclavas. He used to say that if he had a member of the emergency response team dressed in army fatigues wearing a balaclava hiding their face come pounding on his door yelling open up it's the police, "Like hell I'm opening the door. For all I know they could be terrorists."

I am of the understanding the ERT don't wear balaclavas any more which is a good thing for many reasons. The point is they were plain clothes officers banging on the guys door in the middle of the night. They woke him out of bed.

The other perspective is that it's an urgent situation. Someone has called 911 because they are getting assaulted. A delay in opening the door could mean the victim could die. The police are furious with the delay. When he finally opens the door they give him the boots for "not obeying their command."

Their claim that he pushed them just doesn't make sense. He delayed opening the door and they're pissed. That makes perfect sense. Now they have two reasons to give him the boots. First he's a wife beater. Second he delayed in obeying their command so they give him the boots. However, neither reason is just cause for the use excessive force and cave the guys face in. It wasn't just a mater of they took him down and he bumped his head which caved his eye in. No way.

They admitted Florkow employs three unsuccessful "close-handed tactical strikes" to Wu's upper shoulder. Wu continues to resist and Florkow employs two more "close-handed tactical stuns" to Wu's upper back. "Close-hand tactical strike?" Kinda like the Victoria officer who gave a few tactical strikes with his boot when the guys were on the ground? That sounds more like it. We have seen that done before. On more than once occasion.



My point is, even if the guy was accused of beating his wife, they did not see it happen and they got the wrong door. Even if he delayed in opening the door, those are not reasons to give the guy the boots once he's down on the ground and we are told it happens all the time. That's not what John McKay taught them. That more like something Jeffrey Klassen would have taught them.

I got in an argument about police brutality with a protester from East Van once. They went on and on about Pivot's legal affidavit listing testimony of police brutality in East Van. I was like yeah right from a bunch of crack heads. Not very credible witnesses. He asked me if I would read it if he sent it to me. I said yes.

The first witness was an undercover RCMP officer. I was shocked. The RCMP officer was under cover and a couple of VPD officers yell at him for jay walking. He's under cover so he gives the cops the finger. They take him aside and beat the crap out of him. One of the officers was a boxer. True the guy shouldn't have fingered the cop but that does not give the police just cause to beat the crap out of the guy.

Reasonable force means you use physical force to stop an attack and subdue and assailant. Not to punish him by beating him up after the fact. Now I know there's small beef between the RCMP and the VPD which could include hidden agendas. Yet the fact that the first witness in their affidavit of police brutality was an undercover RCMP officer to me says that was a credible witness.

Which brings me back to the article in the Vancouver Sun. The police made a mistake. People do that. Apologize. Accept responsibility for your actions. Don't lie and deny it. That's like the RCMP saying they were afraid for their life when the guy they tasered at the airport was armed with a stapler. That doesn't make sense.

It's like Peter McKay lying and saying he never referred to Belenda Stronach as a dog when they were arguing in parliament when he was caught on tape. Think about it. Belinda broke his heart. They were in a relationship.

She lost the leadership bid to the Conservative party so she left early from a night out with McKay only to go and visit Paul Martin afterwards and make the stunning announcement the next day. She was breaking up with Peter McKay, she was leaving the Conservative party and crossing the floor to join the Liberals. McKay was shocked.



So they're debating the clean air bill and a back bencher from the liberals cat calls over to Peter McKay saying this clean air bill would be good for everyone. What about your dog he sarcastically shouts out. Then Peter McKay jokingly points to Belinda's empty seat now on the other side on the house and says "You already have her."

It was hilarious given what she had done. Why lie about it? Instead of admitting he said it and apologizing he denies he said it and everything's OK. Lying isn't OK. Stronach was named as the adulteress when Tie Domi's wife sued him for divorce. Ah but I digress. My point is we all make mistakes. Let's admit them and rise above them. Let's not lie about them and perpetuate them.

The VPD backing this bizarre story means there is something wrong other than two good cops making a mistake. The VPD appears at times to be an unapproachable and impenetrable old boys club that has been regularly accused of using excessive force on the disadvantaged. That's not even getting into the Woodwards Squat eviction. Don't get me started on that.

The point is simple. Jim Chu is right. Investigations of police misconduct need civilians from the public because the RCMP would be just as quick to cover up a mistake as would any other police force in the county.

Swollen Members live at Gotcha's

Well, well, well. Here I thought Shane Bunting moved out of Kelowna. Glad to hear he's over his three year Viagra and Oxycontin addiction. I wonder who supplied him with it anyways? He admits to being friends with the Hells Angels. Looks like the Swollen Members played at Gotcha's night club in Kelowna on September 16th. They say Gotcha has new owners and they are changing the name of the club to Sapphires. Shane Broesky seems pretty solid (well relatively speaking) but who else is involved? People are saying this is supposed to be the new Liquid Zoo in disguise but I can't see a connection. Shane looks as clean as Martha Stewart. Well almost. As long as he keep arms distance from Bunting an his buddies he'll be fine.

Cranbrook murder tied to Hells Angels associate

LeaAnne MacFarlane and Jeff Taylor were gunned down May 29 2010 in their newly rented Cranbrook home. It was previously rented by a former drug dealer. They were killed by mistake.

Police announced Wednesday that four people - Lonnie Adams, Colin Correia, Lorne Carry and Chad Munroe - have each been charged with conspiracy to commit murder for allegedly plotting a hit on rival drug trafficker Doug Mahon.

Doug Mahon had earlier been charged after a shooting in front of the Sam Steele Hotel on Oct. 29, 2009. The victim was Munroe, who once was convicted of causing a disturbance at Big White along with Mission Hells Angel Jason Arkinstall.

So here we have someone shoot at a Hells Angels associate. Then we have that Hells Angels associate accused of plotting with three other guys to murder the guy who shot at the Hells Angels associate. Only they murder the wrong people by mistake.

This is first degree murder. When you plan to kill someone and end up killing an innocent person by mistake, that should carry a greater punishment than just killing a rival drug dealer.

In Ontario the Hells Angels were not only convicted of drug trafficking, they were convicted of using violence to take over the drug trade in smaller cities. That clearly appears to be what we are now seeing in British Columbia.

The Guardian Project

Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu announced a new "Guardian Project" Monday to help women in the Downtown Eastside who face disproportionate rates of "violence, injury and death."

Chu, who braved a wave of anger from Eastside residents Oct. 8 about Ashley Machiskinic's death and mounting violence against women by drug dealers, promised the Guardian Project will hold regular "town hall meetings."

The project also has set up a phone tip line at 604-215-4777, which will be staffed by E-Comm "female civilians" but offer anonymity to tipsters.

Sharon Strongarm, Ashley's step-grandmother said "I know that in the city people are afraid to speak up because they're scared of the gangs and drug dealers, but if I knew about a death, I would speak up.

Why are people so afraid to speak up? In the Town Hall meeting at the Carnegie Centre people claimed they didn't trust the police in East Van. Some claim they had reported incidents in the past but the police didn't act on them.

I see two problems. One is the gang that the drug dealers sell for. "The Boys" are cruel and people are afraid to speak out. The other problem is public trust in the police.

When we saw the police officer push the disabled woman to the ground on the security camera video we were shocked. We were also shocked that the other police officers did nothing and thought nothing of it. Residents were interviewed and said they were not surprised because they see that kind of thing happen in East Van all the time.

We were shocked when we heard the VPD gave the boots to a guy when answering a domestic abuse call. They made a mistake and got the wrong door which means they beat up the wrong guy. Yet even if it was the right guy, reasonable force means you stop someone from beating someone not you give someone the boots and punish them for beating someone after you have stopped the assault. Especially if you didn't see it.

The people trust Jim Chu. I remember an East Van resident cautiously and sarcastically ask why so many of the VPD are seen socializing with members of the Hells Angels? Now that could be a complete fabrication. Yet if a police officer had to walk the beat in East Van every day, and if the drugs sold in East Van were supplied and controlled by the Hells Angels, one would think that the police walking that beat would want to make the peace with the Hells Angels so they're not in daily conflict and danger.

Project Breakpoint ended without prosecution, much to the frustration of police investigators angered by the decision to terminate a wiretap intercept warrant just days into the authorization.

If some in the VPD were concerned that the security of the Attorney Generals office may be compromised with regards to a Hells Angels under cover operation, logic would question whether or not there were also security breaches within the VPD. We know there has been within the RCMP.

Getting civilians involved in the Guardian Project is important as is confidentiality of informants. Yet we already know the problem and why people are afraid.

California rejects legalization of marijuana

Well this vote was closely watched in BC. Tuesday voters in California voted on Proposition 19 which was a proposal to legalize small quantities of marijuana. 55% of voters were against it while 45% of voters were for it. Consequently it failed.

“There’s no way to reverse this. The momentum is on our side,” said Vancouver resident Jodie Emery, wife of activist and self-styled “Prince of Pot” Marc Emery, who is serving time in a U.S. prison for selling marijuana seeds online.

Yeah that's right. We're gonna keep re voting it until we get the answer WE want. That makes perfect sense in a democratic world. We want our rights, not their rights. I see. The results aren't very surprising.

Although we watched the results closely as the yes side did have a strong support base, it was hard to conceive that the State that just voted to ban gay marriage would vote to legalize marijuana.

What I see from this is that we need mandatory minimum sentences for selling crack or meth not for possession of pot. That would only make sense.

Delta police investigation a farce

Two Vancouver police officers who faced an allegation of abuse of authority have been cleared by Delta police investigating the incident. Cameron Ward, a lawyer for Wu, called the investigation a “farce.”

Ward said his client did nothing wrong and the findings are shocking. “This investigation was a farce,” he said. “It provides yet another example why police should not be investigating other police.”

I have to agree. Jim Chu is right. The complaint process into police misconduct must include public civilians. Anything less is a shameful disappointment.

Political Balance

What we need in BC, (and everywhere else) is political balance. Draw a line in the sand and call it democracy. The further you get away from that line, to the left or the right and you find dictatorship. Hitler was no better than Stalin.

Preston Manning swept the West many years ago with a vision of looking beyond the left and right. The East saw it as a right wing racist separative movement but that wasn't what it was at all. Manning's slogan of unite the bright was changed to unite the right and the Mulroney break aways joined with the Mulroney Conservatives and the party came full circle back to where it set out to reform. Pork Barrel tax and spend politics running huge deficits.

The United States are in the same predicament. The Republicans are not any more fiscally responsible than the Democrats. The polarized fighting between the red and blue States has been immortalized in the red white and blue.

The night before Halloween, a rally in Washington was hosted by comedian-satirists Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. The two-hour rally provided an outlet for Americans who have grown frustrated with a hyper-partisan political and media culture that often drowns out respectful debate in the country.

One of the things the comedians were quoted as saying struck me. Americans used to be proud of their differences and their ability to work together. Indeed. If it takes humour to be able to look at ourselves and laugh at ourselves then so be it. Looking past our differences and celebrating our diversity is crucial in joining together to defeat the enemies from within and make our world a better place to live. For everyone.

For us in BC that means rising above political extremism. Fiscal responsibility without exploiting the elderly and disabled. It really is that simple.

The Bill Vander Zalm Coalition

Well let's give credit where credit is due. Bill Vander Zalm is a hero. Champion of justice Libby Davies said Campbell's fate was sealed by the unpopular Harmonized Sales Tax.

Campbell's party said during the 2009 election that it would not impose the tax, but did so anyway two-and-a-half months after re-election. A petition led by former Premier Bill Vander Zalm has forced a Sept. 24, 2011, referendum on the tax.


"This is a core issue in British Columbia — people are not going to forget about it," Davies said. "It is about democracy, it is about the trust of the voters. It was betrayed by Gordon Campbell and it is being betrayed by the Harper government.”

There are several points I'd like to make and most of them relate to where we go from here. Over a month ago a coworker and I were discussing the momentum of the anti HST petition. He commented that he had heard Rita Johnston is coming back as leader of the Conservative party in BC. Rita Johnston? I shuddered at the thought. The vision of her and Harcourt mudslinging each other with Gordon Wilson pointing out that is why nothing gets accomplished in Victoria is sealed in my memory.

I have nothing against her being a woman. I think Carol James is a sound leader. I'm just leery of the mudslinging polarized politics that BC falls prey to. We need to stop jumping from one extreme to the other in heaping scandal upon scandal for an increasingly disillusioned public.

Bill Vander Valm's Fantasy Gardens scandal wasn't that big of a deal. Bill Vander Valm was a successful businessman. You want someone in charge of your tax dollars who is good with money. The Fast Ferries scandal wasn't a big deal. If the Fast ferries worked it would have been an awesome boost for our local economy. Both parties exploit scandals and try to blow them out of proportion for their own political gain.

My point is, Bill Vander Valm did a colossal job organizing the anti HST coalition. Think about it. Getting all those signatures on a petition for the sole purpose of holding a nonbinding referendum was pointless. We spend all that money on a nonbinding referendum, the public says no but it's nonbinding so Campbell's government proceeds unilaterally.

Vander Valm's strategy was brilliant. He wanted to put political pressure on Campbell and his entire party. He didn't want to waist money on a nonbinding referendum that wouldn't tell us anything an Angus Reid poll hasn't already told us. He said he wanted the government to put the issue to a free vote in Parliament so the voters could see who supported it and who didn't. Then he announced they were going to start recall campaigns one by one in Liberal riding's until the tax was repealed. Brilliant!

Now there is no doubt Carol James and the NDP would have ran their own anti HST campaign which they did, the same time as Vander Valm. Together they were successful. I would totally support a Bill Vander Valm Carol James coalition forming the next BC government. We need sound balanced finances along with the self respect that cares for the elderly and disabled not exploits them to get rich. This would be good for BC and the rest of Canada.

Of course I would totally support Diane Watts stepping up to the plate and joining the coalition. She is awesome.

Gordon Campbell steps down

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell is stepping down and has asked his party to hold a leadership convention. Campbell made the announcement during a surprise news conference Wednesday morning in Vancouver, accompanied by his wife and children. Praise the Lord Tony. Oh Happy Day!

How does it feel to be on the other end of the scape goat Gordo? Stephen Harper sang Gordo's swan song. He was the one that put the nails in Campbell's coffin. He was the one that convinced Campbell to unilaterally drive ahead with the HST regardless of the democratic will of the people.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank Premier Gordon Campbell for his devoted service to British Colombians, and indeed his service to all Canadians. Through his considerable efforts, Premier Campbell has returned British Columbia to prosperity and has re-affirmed his province's rightful place in the heart of our Canadian Confederation.

"In particular, I would like to thank Premier Campbell for his steadfast support during the current global economic downturn and for his government's tremendous cooperation in implementing Canada's Economic Action Plan."

Stephen Harper didn't have an economic action plan. His response was let the market ride it out, it's not the government's job to create employment. There is nothing wrong with that response. It was the opposition parties that demanded he start spending money or they would assume government with a coalition so he caved in. We need to rise above pork barrel politics. That is why we keep raising taxes. To pay for the pork barrel promises to the lobbyists that donated to their campaign.

The HST is Harper's Economic inaction plan and Gordo was quick to jump at the opportunity to implement it. Some suggest he did so on the promise of a seat on the Senate. What an abomination that would be. Making a former premier with the lowest approval rating in Canadian history a senator. What will Harper do next? Make his idol Brian Mulroney a senator? That has about the same merit.

Gordon Campbell did not return British Columbia to prosperity. That is offensive. He robbed the elderly and mentally challenged and gave himself two huge pay raises and a gold plated pension. That will be my enduring memory of Gordon Campbell.

Construction Controversy on Parliament Hill

When Marvin Wemet in prison was arrested we were told aside from murder, he was also charged with gangsterism and money laundering concerning Quebec's construction industry which included a controversial renovation on Parliament Hill.

So what's so controversial about a renovation project on Parliament Hill? Well, to start, seemingly it involves trades not getting paid by the builder which is nothing new but surprising on Parliament Hill.

RJW Stonemasons president Bobby Watt says he isn’t being paid by the Montreal-based bonding company running the project. He claims he’s being squeezed out of the masonry job in favour of another firm and he’s asked the RCMP to look into that.

The project was interrupted for the first time last year when the construction firm that originally won the contract, LM Sauvé, filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving L’Unique Assurances Générales in charge of the project. At the time, Public Works Canada accused LM Sauvé of defaulting on the contract by falling behind on the construction schedule.

Among the more than 20 charges filed against Ouimet and Purdy at the Montreal courthouse last year are at least three related to LM Sauvé 2004 Ltd., a family owned firm whose president, Paul Sauvé, has alleged in media interviews that his company was plagued with problems generated by Ouimet.

The key question is, which companies were willing participants in the Hells Angels money laundering scheme and which were forced into it? In fact that's not a key question at all. There are more than enough construction companies that would jump at the opportunity to launder drug money in a recession.

The key point is that the Hells Angels have been accused of taking over the construction industry in Quebec through extortion and used those companies to launder drug money. Those are the root of the accusations. Ties to the Conservative government are interesting yet by all means not exclusive since the Liberals were the sponsorship kings. Chretien came right out and said Sponsorship is Good. Tell that to Alfonso scape goat Gagliano.

Sûreté du Québec Inspector Michel Forget said it was the biggest money-laundering operation ever encountered by the police, and that there was more to come. We will no doubt watch the new developments with great interest.