Police deny outside influence directed it to ignore Parker lands occupation

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This article was published 01/09/2017 (2969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No “outside agency” gave Winnipeg police any instructions on how to deal with a blockade of protesters at the Parker Lands development site, the police service says, a day after the province’s top court said it would be “alarming” if the city’s police chief received orders not to interfere with protesters.

“No outside agency, person or body has given any direction to the chief of police, his executive, or operational commanders on the issue of law enforcement at this location, as has been suggested,” WPS spokesman Const. Rob Carver wrote in an email on Thursday.

On Wednesday, a local developer’s request for an injunction against the protesters, who are preventing further clearcutting of trees on the property won an earlier court date.

The Court of Appeal ruled it should be decided in court on an urgent basis, pushing the previous Nov. 2 hearing date up to Sept. 14.

Protesters have been camped out on the Fort Garry property since mid-July, halting clear cutting of trees with their Rooster Town blockade, named for a Métis community that was once located near the site.

They say they are standing up for Indigenous land rights and environmental protection on the property, owned by developer Andrew Marquess and his company, Gem Equities.

In a sworn affidavit filed in court, Marquess says at least two police officers told him they had been instructed not to interfere with protesters.

He said an officer told him during a phone conversation on July 15 — a day after the protesters set up camp — that “the chief of police had been ordered by ‘the executive’ to take no steps to remove the trespassers.”

One of his lawyers, Kevin Toyne, previously told the Free Press it was unclear what “the executive” referred to.

Now, the police service confirms police Chief Danny Smyth hasn’t taken any external instructions on the matter.

Carver also said the police service doesn’t have a policy that requires it to wait for a court order before removing protesters from private property.

“In situations like this, the Winnipeg Police Service strives to keep the peace, prevent offences and enforce the law in a manner that respects and protects the rights of all parties. This hearing will take place before the court on September 14, 2017, at which time further information may become known,” Carver wrote.

“The Winnipeg Police Service will then review the decision of the court and will take steps to enforce the order, if granted, including the gathering evidence or intervention when appropriate and safe. The timing and process for any action remain the responsibility of the Police, and we have some discretion as to how this is carried out. Our overall concern is always the safety of all parties.”

katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay