First Nations seek inquiry into police-related death

Wednesday, February 21, 2007  

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is calling for an inquiry into the death of a Native man who was dumped in an alley by police officers in Vancouver.

Frank Paul, a Mi'kmaq from the Big Cove First Nation in New Brunswick, died in December 1998. After being arrested for public drunkenness, police left him in an alley on a cold, rainy night.

The B.C. Solicitor General conducted a review of the case but government lawyers said there was no new information that could lead to criminal charges. The driver of the police van was suspended for a day.

The B.C. Chiefs, however, say new information from a corrections officer should prompt an independent inquiry. The officer, who claims he helped drag Paul into an alley, says police never interviewed him.

Get the Story:
B.C. chiefs want inquiry into native's death in alley (CBC 2/20)

Relevant Documents:
Frank Joseph Paul: REASONS FOR DECISION (January 20, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - http://www.ubcic.bc.ca

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