Police Accountability Files

Police Accountability Files – Episode 19: Wellness ChecksGone Wrong

Whensomeone is experiencing a mental health crisis, a wellness check issupposed to protect lives—not put them at risk. But what happenswhen a call for help ends in violence, serious injury, or death?

In Episode19 of Police Accountability Files, hosted by Special Ed, weexamine troubling Canadian cases involving police wellness checks,including the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi, and theassault of nursing student Mona Wang by an RCMP officer in Kelowna,British Columbia.

We exploreconcerns raised by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission forthe RCMP about officers using a “command and control” approachwhen dealing with people in crisis. We also examine policede-escalation, use-of-force policies, accountability, andrecommendations for alternatives that put mental health professionalsat the forefront when police intervention is not necessary.

Whensomeone calls for help, should the first response be about enforcingcompliance—or protecting that person’s well-being?

JoinSpecial Ed for a hard-hitting look at the cases, the oversightfindings, and the difficult questions Canada must confront aboutpolicing and mental health.

PoliceAccountability Files — examining the incidents, the evidence,and the questions that demand answers.

Episode 18 Description — Officers Leaving Jobs While UnderInvestigation

In Episode 18 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines what happens whenpolice officers resign or retire while facing a misconductinvestigation.

The episode focuses on reporting that88 officers with the Edmonton Police Service and CalgaryPolice Service left their positions while under investigation between2012 and 2023. It explores what that number does—and doesnot—tell us, the difference between an allegation and a finding ofmisconduct, and the challenges that can arise when an officer leavesbefore a disciplinary process is completed.

The episode also looks at Alberta'spolice oversight system, the role of independent investigations,officers' procedural rights, complainants' rights, and the ongoingquestion of whether an investigation should continue even after anofficer leaves the job.

When an officer leaves, doesaccountability leave with them?

Real incidents. Realquestions. Real accountability.

Episode 17 Description — Police Officers: Not in the Top 10Most Dangerous Jobs in Canada

In Episode 17 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the claim thatpolice officers have one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada.

This episode focuses specifically onCanadian data, looking at what Statistics Canadareports about Canada's police workforce and examining howoccupational danger should be measured. In 2023, Canada had 71,472police officers, including 7,977 in Alberta,according to Statistics Canada.

The episode also explores animportant question: Do Canadian statistics actually supportthe claim that policing is among Canada's ten most dangerousoccupations? Rather than relying on slogans or assumptions,the episode looks at fatal workplace injuries, occupational risk,police-related dangers, and the limitations of comparing differentoccupations.

Canadian data. Realquestions. Police accountability.

Episode 16 Description — The Alberta Provincial Police1917–1932

In Episode 16 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed takes a look at theforgotten history of the Alberta Provincial Police,the force that policed Alberta from 1917 to 1932.

The episode explores the APP'screation, prohibition enforcement, battles with bootleggers,corruption allegations, labour disputes, the death of ConstableStephen Lawson, and the force's eventual end during the GreatDepression.

It also examines what the APP'shistory can teach us about police independence, governmentcontrol, corruption, public trust, and accountability—andwhy Alberta's first provincial police force remains relevant totoday's debate over policing in the province.

Real history. Real questions.Real accountability.

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Episode 15 Description — The RCMP and the Freedom Convoy

In Episode 15 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the RCMP’s roleduring the 2022 Freedom Convoy, one of the mostcontroversial public-order events in recent Canadian history.

This episode explores the protests inOttawa, the border blockades at Coutts and Windsor, RCMP intelligenceoperations, police coordination, the seizure of firearms at Coutts,and the federal government’s decision to invoke the EmergenciesAct.

We also examine the findings of thePublic Order Emergency Commission and the RCMP’s own after-actionreview, asking difficult questions about police powers, protestrights, intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, andaccountability.

Who was responsible forwhat—and what lessons should Canada learn from the Freedom Convoy?

Real events. Difficultquestions. Police accountability.

Episode 14 Description — The Kelly Canadian Use-of-ForceIncident

In Episode 14 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the controversialKelly Canadian use-of-force incident involving theRCMP in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories.

The episode explores the surveillancefootage, conflicting accounts from Canadian and police officers,Canadian’s injuries, his acquittal on five counts of assaultingpeace officers, and questions raised about whether the force usedagainst him was reasonable and necessary.

We also examine expert criticism ofthe officers’ actions and the broader question of how policeconduct is investigated when someone is injured while in custody.

When does legitimate policeforce become excessive force—and who holds officers accountablewhen it does?

Real incident. Realquestions. Real accountability.

In this episode of Police Accountability Files, wetake a hard look at the controversial history of the Royal CanadianMounted Police—from the creation of the North-West Mounted Policein 1873 to the modern RCMP.

We examinethe Force’s role in enforcing government policies toward Indigenouspeoples, residential schools, the forced relocation of Inuitfamilies, and other difficult chapters in Canadian history. Theepisode also looks at the RCMP’s evolving role, its apologies, andits ongoing efforts toward reconciliation.

The RCMPitself acknowledges that its history with Indigenous communities hasbeen “long” and “sometimes difficult,” while alsohighlighting the changes and reconciliation efforts undertaken inrecent decades.

Thisepisode asks: How much of the past should shape our view oftoday's RCMP—and what does true police accountability require?

Realhistory. Difficult questions. Police accountability.

Episode 12 — The Bridget Morla Incident

In this episode of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the case involvingformer RCMP Constable Bridget Morla and allegationsarising from an incident involving two teenage boys. The episodeexplores the ASIRT investigation, the criminal proceedings, Morla’sguilty plea to common assault, and the court’s decision to impose aconditional discharge.

We look at what the case says aboutpolice accountability, off-duty conduct, professionaldiscipline, and the public’s trust in law enforcement—andask whether the consequences were sufficient when the person involvedwas an RCMP officer.

Real incident. Realquestions. Real accountability.

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Episode Description — Edmonton Officer Kicks Head Like a SoccerBall

In this episode of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the case of18-year-old Pacey Dumas, who suffered severe brain injuries after anEdmonton police officer kicked him in the head during an arrest. Awitness described the kick as being “as if you’re kickinga soccer ball.”

The episode examines the ASIRTinvestigation, its criticism of the officer's actions, the Crown'sdecision not to prosecute, and Dumas's subsequent legal effortsseeking accountability. It also explores the difficult questionssurrounding police use of force, Indigenous communities, and whetherCanada's accountability systems provide meaningful answers whenserious injuries occur during police encounters.

Episode Description — My Arrest by the Cold Lake RCMP

In this episode of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines his account of anarrest by the Cold Lake RCMP after he was filming from a publicsidewalk. The episode explores the alleged identification demand,vehicle search, medication issue, detention, and subsequent policecomplaint.

It also looks at Charterrights, police accountability, body-camera evidence, and thequestions surrounding independent oversight when a citizenalleges police misconduct. The Cold Lake RCMP is the local detachmentserving the community and surrounding area.