Crime Squad

Before the torture. Before the cover-ups. Before the trials and televised hearings - there was a pill. A small, bitter tablet that every soldier in the Canadian Airborne regiment swallowed before stepping foot in Somalia. It was a new antimalarial drug. 

Now, decades later, a disturbing pattern has emerged from those who took this drug — suicides, violence, and legal action. This is Command & Controversy Episode Four: Bitter Medicine.

In the wake of the Somalia Affair, the Canadian government moved quickly — not to ensure justice, but to control the damage. The Airborne Regiment was disbanded in disgrace. A public inquiry was launched, then abruptly shut down before it could expose the full truth. Politicians resigned. Evidence disappeared. And the military scrambled to protect its image. In Episode 3, we examine the calculated collapse of accountability: how the fallout was managed, who paid the price, and who walked away untouched.

In 1993, the Canadian Airborne Regiment was deployed to Somalia on a peacekeeping mission — but what unfolded was a brutal incident that shattered the illusion of military honour and exposed deep-rooted issues within the Canadian Forces. The torture and killing of Somali teenager Shidane Arone, and the disturbing images that followed, ignited national outrage, led to a public inquiry, and ultimately was a contributing factor to the disbanded an elite unit.

In this episode, we delve into the events of the Somalia Affair: what happened on the ground, who tried to cover it up, and how political and military leadership scrambled to control the fallout. Command and Controversy continues with a story of violence, silence, and the cost of unchecked power.

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[WITH AUDIO CLIPS FROM CBC ARCHIVES]

This is the story of how Canada built a military unit to project power — and how that same power turned inward, exposing fault lines in command, culture, and accountability.

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Command and Controversy is a limited-series investigative podcast that tells the true story of the Canadian Airborne Regiment: its creation, its celebrated status, and the shocking events that led to its disgrace and disbandment.

(C) Crime Squad Presents...

Once hailed as Canada’s premier rapid deployment force, the Canadian Airborne Regiment was born out of Cold War urgency and political ambition. But behind the disciplined drills and maroon berets lay a darker story — one marked by internal dysfunction, a culture of impunity, and an international scandal that shocked the nation. In this episode, we trace the origins of the Regiment, the political forces that shaped it, and the bad behaviour that ultimately led to its disbandment.

Featuring key players, buried reports, and the fallout from Somalia, Command and Controversy unpacks how an elite force became a national disgrace — and what it reveals about power and accountability in Canada’s military.

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[WITH AUDIO CLIPS FROM CBC ARCHIVES]

During the 1960s and 70s, the cities of London and Guelph, Ontario, were gripped by a wave of violence that left communities shaken and families devastated.

A series of sexual assaults and brutal murders targeting women unfolded across quiet neighbourhoods - often with chilling similarities.

In this episode, we dive deep into the pattern of these crimes exploring the timelines, victim profiles and investigative efforts. Were these attacks the work of one serial predator - or several operating in close proximity?

Join the squad and listen as we unravel the dark history behind behind one of Ontario's most terrifying crime sprees.

(C) oneworldviewproductions

May 5 is the National Day of awareness and remembrance for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. 

This episode examines the cases of Joanne Ghostkeeper, Karina Wolfe and Patricia “Trish” Carpenter. 

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line

Crisis support is available to individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-413-6649 (toll-free).

Produced by Natasha // oneworldview productions

Created with soundtrap (C) all rights reserved

Music:

Women's Warrior Song - 8000 Drums Sacred Ceremony by @BurningFistMedia

In 1964, Barb Dorrington had a crush on a boy named Scott Leishman. And in 1968, Scott would be the victim of a horrific crime. Barb has spent countless hours trying to find answers in Scott's case, and is releasing a book inspired by Scott called "TRAUMA MONSTER".

In this episode of Crime Squad Podcast, I interview Barb and her collaborator Seana about their experiences while writing the book.

TRAUMA MONSTER will be released for purchase via Amazon on April 30th, so be sure to grab your copy.

In March of 1995, six teenage boys attended a party - but never came home.

Six families in Pickering, Ontario, still wonder what happened to them.

#SearchTheLandfill, an international movement, was born of Winnipeg, Manitoba's government and police force refusing to search local waste management facilities for the remains of four Indigenous women who were tragically murdered in 2022.

Warning: This content will contain information that may be distressing to some individuals. Listener discretion is advised.

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If you need immediate emotional support, please call the national, independent toll-free MMIWG2S+ support line at 1-844-413-6649 to speak to a counsellor. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.