Top cop addresses court

RCMP commissioner tells N.B. trial he worried about provision of carbine rifles

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson testified Thursday that arming Mounties with high-powered carbine rifles raised concerns for him over the possible militarization of the force and needed to be done carefully.

Paulson took the stand at the force’s Labour Code trial in Moncton, N.B., and said he worried the weapons could create tension between the public and officers. While members needed to be properly equipped, the C8 carbine had to be rolled out responsibly, he said.

“It’s a delicate balancing act,’’ he said. “We have seen situations in the U.S. and some in Canada where this can distance the public from the police.’’

The national force faces four charges stemming from Justin Bourque’s 2014 shooting rampage that left three officers dead and two injured in Moncton. The RCMP is accused of failing to provide the appropriate equipment and training in an active-shooter event.

Carbine rifles were not available to general duty officers during Bourque’s shooting spree on June 4, 2014, and numerous witnesses have testified they could have made a difference.

The RCMP approved the C8 carbines in September 2011, but the rollout took time.

Constables Fabrice Gevaudan, Dave Ross and Doug Larche were killed, while constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded when Bourque targeted police officers in hopes of sparking an anti-government rebellion.

Paulson, who is due to retire at the end of this month after 32 years in the force, wore a black suit Thursday rather than his uniform.

The small courtroom was only about half full. Among those watching Paulson’s testimony was one of the fallen officers’ wives, Nadine Larche, and Terry McKee of the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada.

Paulson testified that he was involved in the initial discussions about the introduction of carbines in the RCMP. He said he was critical of a report on carbines prepared by Carleton professor Darryl Davies, claiming it lacked appropriate analysis.

Paulson says he learned of the Moncton shootings while on a flight to Vancouver and had a conference call with officials in New Brunswick. He said he was satisfied they were getting the support they needed. He flew to Moncton the day after Bourque was captured.

Paulson said he quickly enlisted Alphonse MacNeil to do an independent report on the shootings and identify any shortcomings in the force as well as take measures to prevent anything like that from happening again. Paulson says he told MacNeil there were no limits on what he could review.

“It’s a completely devastating set of facts our officers were asked to respond to,’’ he said. “They responded heroically and without fail.’’