Nearly 6 years after the death of an Indigenous man, 5 RCMP officers charged

Two RCMP officers have been charged with manslaughter following the death of an Indigenous man while in the custody of Prince George police.

35-year-old Dale Culver was a member of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations.

Following his arrest in July of 2017, the BC Civil Liberties Association detailed reports from eyewitnesses that he was taken down by police immediately after exiting a liquor store.

According to a notice from the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) dated July 19, 2017, police received reports that a man was “casing vehicles” in a part of the city just after 10:30 p.m.

“Officers located the male and attempted to take him into custody. Police say a struggle ensued and they used OC (pepper) spray in the process of apprehending the male who was then placed in a police vehicle,” the IIO report reads.

It notes the man “appeared to be having trouble breathing,” at which point police requested medical assistance.

“Police say once the ambulance arrived, the man was taken out of the police vehicle and collapsed. He was pronounced deceased in hospital shortly after midnight.”

The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) also heard allegations that RCMP members told witnesses to delete cellphone video that they had taken.

The BC Prosecution Service says constables Paul Ste-Marie and Jean Francois Monette have been charged with manslaughter, while three of their fellow officers are charged with attempting to obstruct justice.

Dale Culver’s family responds after charges approved

In a statement through the BCCLA, Culver’s family remains “unwavering” in their calls for justice.

“Dale was a beloved son, brother, friend, and father to three children when he was killed,” the statement reads.

“We cannot shake off the devastation until justice is done,” said Virginia Pierre, Culver’s aunt. “This is hard on every single one of us. And we hurt each time we see police-involved deaths in the news. It happens way too much. Too many have died in the hands of the RCMP. The police are supposed to protect us, not kill us.”

The BCCLA says it is unacceptable to wait for almost three years after the IIO report for the BC Prosecution Service to make a decision about charges.

“Such delays exacerbate the stress and pain that Dale’s loved ones are already experiencing and contributes more generally to public distrust of policing agencies and the oversight mechanisms purported to hold them accountable,” BCCLA Policy Director Meghan McDermott said.

Culver’s eldest daughter, Lily Speed-Namox says the family has been in the “dark” throughout much of the process.

“We want the public to know how difficult it has been for us since my dad was killed,” she said.

All of the involved officers are scheduled to appear in court on Mar. 14.