Two RCMP officers in Prince George, British Columbia, have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of an Indigenous man in 2017, Crown Prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Three other people have been charged with attempted obstruction of justice in connection with the events immediately following the death of Dale Culver in police custody on July 18, 2017, according to a BC Prosecution Service news release.
Const was convicted of manslaughter. Paul St. Marie and Const. Jean-Francois Monet, Const. Arthur Dallmann, Const. Clarence (Alex) Alexander Macdonald and Sgt. Bayani (John) Eusebio Cruz has been charged with attempted obstruction.
The 35-year-old Culver was the father of three children and was a member of the Wetthweten and Gissan Indigenous tribes, according to his family.
his death Anti-Indigenous Racism in the Police was the focus between numerous protests In North BC after the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
The indictment follows an investigation by BC’s Independent Investigation Bureau, which forwarded the report to Crown in May 2020, asking prosecutors to consider charges against the five officers.
BC’s Independent Bureau of Investigation, which investigated Culver’s death, said the RCMP was called to 1000 Central Street West after receiving reports that a man was “covering a vehicle.”
Culver reportedly tried to escape on his bicycle and a struggle ensued between him and the officers.IIO reports that pepper spray was used against Culver during his arrest and he was killed in the back of a police car. was placed.
Culver began having trouble breathing shortly thereafter, and paramedics were called. He collapsed when he was removed from his police car and was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after midnight.
In 2018, the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) filed a formal complaint with the RCMP’s Citizens Review and Complaints Commission, alleging that the Mounties told witnesses to remove video footage of Culver’s arrest. rice field.
The association also questioned whether “explicit or implied racial prejudice” was involved in the incident. It was said to be “several hours” before the event, raising questions about whether Calvert was approached because he was an indigenous people.
The first court appearances of all indicted officers are scheduled for March 14.
