RCMP Custody Release Protocol Challenged

RCMP Custody Release Protocol Challenged

Friday, March 02, 2007 at 15:27

 

 

A lawyer from La Ronge says the RCMP should be held responsible for transporting northern residents back to their home communities after court appearances.

 

Felicia Daunt recently filed a Charter application in Court of Queen’s Bench, arguing the force violated one of her client’s rights when it didn’t take him back to Black Lake.

 

Instead, Daunt says her client was forced to wander the streets of La Ronge in freezing temperatures.

 

Fortunately, he was able to spot some friends who gave him a lift to Prince Albert.

 

But Daunt says the outcome could easily have been much worse.

 

Daunt notes the RCMP will often give northerners a lift if they happen to be headed to that particular place — but they’re often forced to wait several days at a time.

 

She argues the Mounties have a duty to transport residents back to their home communities once their court appearance is over — if that’s where they were initially apprehended.

 

The two sides will meet in court on March 14th.