Few Details, But Assurances Of Thorough Investigation

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

Sergeant Paul Skelton and Corporal Fred Harding with West Van Police Dept.

Prince George, B.C. -  There are many questions, but few answers on specific details surrounding last Thursday evening's tasering of an 11-year-old boy in a rural area of Prince George...

In the hours following the incident - as per RCMP policy - Prince George Superintendent Brenda Butterworth-Carr sought an independent review of the incident.  Four members from the West Vancouver Police Department arrived in the city last night.  Two detectives began their investigation last night and again this morning.  The two other officers were brought in to liaise with the media and community in light of this disturbing incident.

Those two officers, Corporal Fred Harding and Sergeant Paul Skelton, held a news conference this afternoon, but could not shed light on many specific questions pertaining to the stabbing incident that landed a 37-year-old man in hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and resulted in an 11-year-old boy being tasered.

Corporal Harding says that he does not know where the incident occurred and would not confirm it was a 'group home'.  "My understanding is that it's not actually termed a 'group home', but, I believe it is a government building," says Harding.  "And just to clarify, I don't mean to be coy, that's my understanding - that's the full information I have."

"I understand from the Ministry of Children and Families Development (sic) they haven't disclosed to us where it took place because we have to respect the privacy of the people who are still living and working at that place."  He cannot confirm whether the victim was an employee.

There are no details on whether the adolescent was armed, or his height and weight.  Harding will say the boy was treated at hospital and "he remains in the care of the ministry, is the only information I have."

The Prince George RCMP officer involved is believed to be male and a junior officer, who's been a member for approximately a year-and-a-half.  "The officer has been assigned to administrative duties as of today," says Harding.

He emphasizes that while West Van Police understand there are numerous questions out there, maintaining the integrity of their independent investigation is paramount.  "We're all aware also of people's perceptions of police investigating police.  Right now, in this province, it's the best we've got.  But, again, I can tell you that the West Vancouver Police Department will not let anybody down in their abilities of providing an unbiased, thorough investigation into the circumstances it (the tasering) surrounded."

"Clearly, the principal focus is 'did the officer act appropriately?', was everythnig that happened there the best that could have happened and, if not, are there any recommendations that can come out of that."

The officers on the investigation-side anticipate that they'll have all the information they need by tomorrow or mid-week and will leave Prince George at that time.  Corporal Paul Skelton says, "They're optimistic that they'll be able to go back to our department and start putting their fingers on the keyboard and crafting a document that can answer all your questions because we fully understand that this is a very topical incident - our chief has given it top priority."

"We know this is a very sensitive investigation and I can assure you that both the RCMP and West Vancouver Police Department want to answer all the questions in a timely manner."

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