First Nations leaders are demanding the immediate firing of three officers and the Chief of the Prince Albert Police over what they said is the preventable death of an infant.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Prince Albert Grand Council, and Thunderchild First Nation are calling for a Coroner’s Inquest and an immediate intervention from the Ministry of Corrections and Public Safety of the Prince Albert Police Service.
On February 10, 13-month old Tanner Brass was the victim of a homicide. The FSIN said it conducted its own investigation into the death and outlined grave concerns alleging gross negligence and/or criminal negligence and systemic racism on behalf of the Prince Albert Police, in connection to this infant death.
Leaders said Tanner’s mother, Kyla Frenchman was fleeing domestic violence. Yet when police arrived, Frenchman was arrested for intoxication and police ignored her pleas for help, while asserting that no welfare check was performed on Tanner. According to the FSIN, Frenchman wasn’t intoxicated and communicated to officers the danger Tanner may have been in.
“No mother should ever have to go through this. No mother should have to feel this pain,” said Frenchman. “He was such a happy baby, who was always smiling. He was adorable and had big squishy cheeks.”
The FSIN is also calling for an independent investigation into the conduct of the Prince Albert Police and the immediate termination of two police officers, one sergeant, and the Chief of Police.
“We are calling for an immediate investigation and Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Baby Tanner and criminal charges to be laid against anyone who contributed and enabled this horrific tragedy. This mother was held against her will and her baby paid the ultimate price for their negligence,” Thunderchild First Nation Chief James Snakeskin said.
Police issued a press release on Feb. 11, stating that officers responded to a home and arrested one person. Officers returned to that location after a man called police and reported that he murdered his baby. That man has since been charged.
“This woman was treated differently because she was First Nations. She wasn’t believed by these officers when she said she and her baby were in danger. She was taken into custody while innocent Baby Tanner’s life was taken. The public keeps saying that racism doesn’t exist. This is a prime example of exactly what systemic racism looks like embedded within a justice system that is supposed to serve and protect,” explained FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “This mother had to bury her baby because the system failed her and her child. We have zero confidence in the P.A. Police Service. There must be an immediate independent investigation and Coroner’s Inquest. These officers and everyone who enabled this situation to occur and be swept under the rug until this point are just as much to blame as the killer. They must be terminated immediately.”
Chief Cameron told reporters at a press event on Wednesday that legal action will be considered if that is an avenue Kyla Frenchman wishes to pursue.
Police Chief Jonathan Bergen provides statement
In a media conference on Wednesday afternoon, Prince Albert Police Chief Jonathan Bergen says the two officers involved will remain on active duty until an internal investigation into the matter is complete.
At that time, he says the police service will make a decision on any discipline and what that discipline would be.
Bergen pointed to the recent structural changes within the service to address what he called issues within the police service.
“We know we need to do better and we will do better,” he said in his prepared statement.
When questioned by reporters Bergen did admit that the police service has a tough road ahead of them to build back public trust.
“It’s not just the actions of one or two police officers where we need to do better,” said Bergen. “We need to look across the entire organization and do better in all areas…that’s our commitment.”
In response to FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron’s calls for the police chief to be fired, Bergen says “The message is received loud and clear and we have a lot of work to do to build back trust of the community.”
The Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners also put out a statement Wednesday afternoon saying they support an external investigation into the matter.
The Public Complaints Commission is also investigating the matter.
(Photo: FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron holds a picture of Baby Tanner Brass and Mother Kyla Frenchman. Credit Joel Willick)