Slemko Wins, Chief Says O.K. To Testify

Thursday, July 19, 2007 09:24 AM

Constable Joe Slemko says he is elated after hearing the Edmonton Police Service has dropped a controversial policy that barred its officers from testifying as a private blood spatter consultant for the defense.

‘I feel great that after waging a nine year battle trying to convince them that I only want to represent the truth. I can now proceed in a matter without an incredible amount of stress that I have faced in the past.”

Chief Mike Boyd said he would not be bound by the policy of a previous administration. He said he has no problem with Slemko testifying for the defense. “I also don’t have any problem with them testifying for the Crown” he said.

According to the Edmonton Journal following the Police Commission meeting yesterday Chief Boyd said, “There is no ownership of a witness. So when a police officer gives evidence in court either to the benefit of an accused or the detriment of the accused, they give their evidence, independently, objectively and honestly.”

Earlier Supt Dwayne Gibbs, the head of EPS Human Resources, decided Slemko was in conflict because he said he believes the Crown and police are “indivisible” in a prosecution.

Chief Boyd says he does not agree that the Crown and police are indivisible.

Slemko had been notified he was to face a disciplinary hearing for providing blood spatter reports to a defense lawyer. That hearing has now been dropped, nor will there be any discipline for his testimony at the Coroner’s Inquest into the police shooting death of Ian Bush of Houston

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Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 09:24 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Andyfreeze on July 19 2007 9:50 AM

Chalk up a win for democracy!!
I was starting to think it no longer existed.
Slemko did what was right as witness in a case that is just plain wrong from the start!
This farce is NOT going to go away anytime soon as much as I am sure many of those involved had hoped it would.
People power and protest CAN make a difference if we all step up and be counted
and hold our law enfrocement agencies AND our politicians accountable.
The important thing is not to forget.
There will be an election coming soon and that is where we fight back.
Any politician who does not stand up against this injustice is on my hit list and will not get a vote from me!
Those in government that speak out against this farce just might!
Are you listening Gordo?

Posted by: ammonra on July 19 2007 10:14 AM

I was pleased at the opinion expressed by Slemko's chief, Mike Boyd. It shows there are police officers who value objectivity in determining the truth of events. I am sure there are many more like him throughout the country. Now, if we could only gather a group of them together to look into the events in Houston .......

Posted by: lmorg on July 19 2007 1:05 PM

I told you all that this would happen.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 19 2007 2:34 PM

Oh lmorg I could just kiss you!!!! Joe you rock! So do you Andy. Hey Andy you have to tell me who to vote for as I like the way you think and I really don't know who to vote for as I don't trust any of them but I trust your judgement.

Posted by: Chadermando on July 19 2007 3:22 PM

Heidi, I would suggest if you don't know who to vote for than a good idea would be to find a candidate that has no chance of winning and has a main campaign arguement that you feel needs more credibility as a legitimate issue. In this way you are not endorsing a wholy owned mainstream politician, and are empowering democracy at the same time. I've found it works for me.

Posted by: Chadermando on July 19 2007 3:24 PM

IMO Edmonton Police Chief Mike Boyd is a hero for justice and the rule of law on this day

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 19 2007 3:47 PM

Yes Chad I was just thinking the same thing about P.C. Mike Boyd :) Thanks for tip also...worth a try!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on July 19 2007 5:17 PM

Police Chief Mike Boyd is to be commended for his honesty and his grasp of what is right and what is wrong.
Maybe we could get him to give integrity lessons to the RCMP?
Three cheers for democracy!!

Posted by: ChrisAnnB on July 19 2007 7:19 PM

A light at the end of the tunnel?

Very good news. :)

Posted by: snappi on July 19 2007 8:28 PM

Here here to the good guys! What awesome news! I am so happy for Joe Slemko. There still are a few good ones out there.
And hey your idea works Chad, and much better than a coin toss.

Posted by: lmorg on July 19 2007 8:40 PM

H, no need, I knew beforehand that a discipline hearing for Slemko would not go ahead.

Posted by: ChrisAnnB on July 19 2007 8:58 PM

I see this as being one step in the right direction. Now, we just need a few more of those steps ...

Posted by: Truth on July 20 2007 4:16 AM

The Police Chief must have heard that Officers of the Court are prohibited from acting with partiality.

[/url]http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1954/1954canlii3/1954canlii3.html[/url]

The role of prosecutor excludes any notion 'of winning or losing; his function is a matter of public duty than which in civil life there can be none charged with greater personal responsibility. It is to be efficiently performed with an ingrained sense of the dignity, the seriousness and the just�ness of judicial proceedings.

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 20 2007 10:02 AM

Another sneak peak of the light at the end of the tunnel????:
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=36a70f11-5fb1-476b-a9ff-db609947ad6b

"Top Mounties rewrote half reports on police wrongdoing"

"Public concerns have been raised about the ensuing investigations after two young B.C. men were shot by RCMP officers: Ian Bush, a 22-year-old Houston mill-worker arrested for giving a false name in October 2005 and Kevin St. Arnaud, a 29-year-old drugstore theft suspect slain after a short chase in December 2004 in Vanderhoof."

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 20 2007 10:21 AM

"To me, it's unethical to further victimize someone that's already been victimized by the justice system," he said.

"For example, there's no way I could accept money from the Bush family, because they're the real victims in all of this." says Joe Slemko.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070720.BCSLEMKO20/TPStory/National

Ok i'm done for today! Have a good one :)

Posted by: thereasonableman on July 20 2007 11:41 PM

Now, if they can clean up the rest of the actions against him, that would really be impressive.
That would be making a big statement.

Don't the rest of you think it would be a shocker if they dismissed ALL proceedings against him ?

Maybe they could get crazy and give him a pat on the back or something for a change.

I know, what the hell am I on ?

Posted by: heidi1555 on July 21 2007 11:22 PM

I guess you're on drivel serum like me ;) or maybe you just have a heart and good common sense!!!! lol Yes, a pat on the back would be a heck of a good start for Constable Slemko! They need to clone that man!!!!