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Pedestrian claims police intimidation

Pedestrian claims police intimidation Open letter to Whitehorse RCMP Chief Superintendent Peter Clark: On Feb. 2, I was out for a walk when an RCMP officer drove up. This was on Robert Service Way about the middle of the afternoon. He questioned me abo

Open letter to Whitehorse RCMP Chief Superintendent Peter Clark:

On Feb. 2, I was out for a walk when an RCMP officer drove up. This was on Robert Service Way about the middle of the afternoon. He questioned me about the report of somebody walking in the road obstructing traffic. He seemed satisfied that I was really doing nothing wrong but he demanded my name. I refused. When I tried to walk away, he grabbed me and again demanded my name.

I told him I’m Stewart Jamieson, but he still wouldn’t let me go and demanded to see some identification. I protested that he had no right to do so, and I told him I’ve been through a similar incident that I complained about years ago.

He used his two-way radio to call for backup. Another officer soon drove up and I found myself being handcuffed. The officer said he was arresting me but he didn’t say what for! I was searched. They got my wallet out of my pocket and stuffed me in the back seat of the car. One got my health-care card out of my wallet and used it for the purposes of running a check on me over the police radio.

Then they let me go. I got their names and went directly to the detachment on 4th Avenue where I explained all about the matter to Sgt. Don Rogers. It was never quite clear as what happens next. I have already told my story to various people, including a lawyer who assures me that I was within my rights and that the police officers had no business to do what they did.

In my estimation, the two officers jointly committed at least four criminal offences: intimidation, assault, forcible confinement and mischief to property. This is a serious complaint that should be properly investigated.

Stewart Jamieson

Whitehorse