3:12am, 30 May, 1999:
I have spent the night driving around St. Albert in a long and vain attempt to learn the condition of my brother, who has been put in a jail cell for "causing a disturbance" and "maybe intoxication" at the Rodeo, according to RCMP Constable Low. I learned only that the St. Albert RCMP force is ineffective, corrupt, and hostile to those they are paid to protect, or at least they want to look that way.

I spoke to many individuals who were first-hand witnesses of the events which ignited the "riot". The unswerving consensus has been that my brother sought to break up a fist-fight between two girls, and was consequently beaten severely by rodeo "security guards" until RCMP officers arrived to continue the beating. My brother was finally lifted from the ground by police officers, shirtless with a face full of blood. Before you continue reading, imagine that this is your brother, son, best friend, or loved one. I know that many readers are parents of individuals who have been unnecessarily pepper-sprayed, clubbed or otherwise assaulted by police.

Tonight I heard detailed accounts of confused bystanders being belligerently and randomly pepper-sprayed and clubbed because they did not understand what was happening. This is not a surprise; it has happened many times before. It is a fact that this city's police force have earned a very, very negative reputation. The stories of officers beating people {after} arresting them are far too numerous to ignore.

Of course, all of these accounts have been stories told to me by those involved, and have not involved me directly. But tonight I too experienced the inappropriate conduct of our police force.

When I arrived at the police station to inquire about my brother, the doors were locked. Nobody, including the perplexed Edmonton Police officers who arrived to provide assistance, could enter. While the Edmonton Police were civil and friendly, a St. Albert officer curtly informed my mother and I that my brother had been detained on the aforementioned charge and pseudo-charge. Normally social grace is a matter of judgement, but this officer was unquestionably rude. When we stated that we were unsure whether my brother was safe in the cell (worrying tales of RCMP corruption now fresh in our minds), we were told insensitively and uncaringly, "Sorry." Our family member was in an uncertain state of bloody injury, and those paid to serve and protect us gave us next-to-no consideration.

I then phoned the police station and asked in a friendly, non-threatening manner, to speak to my brother. The woman I spoke to told me flatly that I couldn't. When I diplomatically asked why I couldn't, I was told "We don't have that capability" because there are no phones in the cells. The woman then said "Good night" and hung up.

I later was able to enter the police station front waiting area. When asked why I was there, I civilly replied that I wanted to inquire about my brother. The woman at the reception desk interrupted me angrily with "No brother, no nothing. Out!", treating me like a pesky drunk at closing time. Too stunned to respond, I listened to an Edmonton Police officer gently and courteously inform my mother that there were many prisoners to process, and that the best plan was to go home and wait for a phone call. The difference between the conduct of the St. Albert and the Edmonton officers was terrifying.

Needless to say, at this moment I am very concerned for my brother, who has been consistently refused medical attention after, by all accounts, a very severe beating at the hands of "security" and "law enforcement". I also know that I am not alone, for I met several very angry and distraught parents tonight who were in the same situation. I encourage anyone and everyone who has shared my experience or been otherwise involved tonight to respond to my column by writing and informing readers of what has happened.

5:47am:
My mother phoned the police station, and was rudely put down by a police officer who said "Were you there? ... Well, you had to have been there to enjoy it." This is simply sick. My mother replied "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it," and my brother was released shortly thereafter, being charged only with "resisting arrest". If that is the only charge, why was he being "arrested" in the first place? Upon being picked up by my mother, my brother informed her that the police never told him he was being arrested, never read him his rights, and never told him the charges. He was simply beaten and put in a cell without a phone call or medical attention.

We can ignore it no longer. Our corrupt RCMP force has got to be eliminated and rebuilt. This city needs an independent force, or at least an RCMP force who cares about the members of its community. The present force is violently beating our citizens, and then acting condescending, arrogant, and disrespectful towards concerned citizens. They have dropped the ball too many times, and must be replaced. Our quiet, peaceful community is nurturing a power-drunk gang of thugs, and the longer we condone their abuse of their home community, the more we have to be afraid of.

If you teach your children to seek out police officers when they are lost or in danger, be sure to teach them to differentiate between regular police and St. Albert RCMP.