Indigenous leaders call for implementation of recommendations for P.A. police

Saskatchewan Indigenous leaders are calling for the immediate implementation of the 45 recommendations contained in a report on the Prince Albert Police Service.

The recommendations came after three in-custody deaths in a span of a single month in 2021, and the death of 13-month-old Tanner Brass in 2022.

On Tuesday, the provincial government released the recommendations contained in an independent report, but not the report itself.

Dutch Lerat, second vice chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, said the full report needs to be made public. He called it an urgent matter.

“There is an assurance by the Ministry (of Corrections and Policing) to release it to the public. We call for the release of the report,” he said.

“We continue to review the recommendations, but the full report has to be available to evaluate the recommendations.”

Lerat said the FSIN wouldn’t comment on the recommendations until the full report behind them was made public, but he did say faith and trust in Prince Albert police had “disintegrated” after the incidents.

“There needs to be significant action taken to begin to repair the relationships with our people. if this is at all possible,” he said.

Prince Albert Grand Council Chief Brian Hardlotte said he read the recommendations, which outlined a host of disciplinary, policy and administrative actions. He said he believes some things were missed.

“I did not see anything there on elders … I also did not see anything there (regarding) culturally relevant training for the police officers. A simple ‘tanisi’ – ‘hello’ – for a police officer is very important when they’re dealing with our people,” he said.

Hardlotte also suggested Prince Albert police officers wear body cameras, and further suggested that a member of the Prince Albert Grand Council should sit on the city’s board of police commissioners.

Saul Laliberte’s death

Both Lerat and Hardlotte said the family of Saul Laliberte – a 33-year-old man who died while in Prince Albert police custody in November of 2021 – is still looking for answers.

Laliberte was the third person in just one month to die in Prince Albert police detention cells.

Last week, veteran Prince Albert police officer Tyson Morash was charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life in connection with Laliberte’s death. Morash is currently suspended with pay.

According to Lerat, Laliberte’s mother Amelia Bloomfield was concerned for her son’s well-being and contacted police to request her son be taken to the hospital.

“Her request was ignored, and hours later Saul was found dead in his cell,” accused Lerat.

More than a year and a half later, he said the family still has not seen Laliberte’s autopsy results.

“I imagine when the autopsy results come back, of course we’re going to push for the results to be made public and to be shared with the family,” added Lerat.

Hardlotte said when there’s silence from police, from the provincial government, and from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, it breeds mistrust.

“We have to feel for the family. It’s about humanity. You can’t continue treating people like this,” he said.