Caution required in dealing with media: police chief

RNC chief Bill Janes says intentional delay in public statements supporting Joe Smyth

Testifying before the Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Death of Donald Dunphy, RNC Chief Bill Janes was asked about his silence — specifically his lack of public support for Const. Joe Smyth — in the weeks after Dunphy was shot and killed by Smyth in an encounter in April 2015.

Janes spoke to reporters following the shooting, with premier Paul Davis, offering condolences to Dunphy’s family. Smyth’s name was not released at the time, although Janes said he had spoken with the officer involved.

“At this time,” the chief said in that early news conference, “we’re ensuring that our officer receives the assistance that they need while at the same time ensuring that we provide the RCMP all the information they need to provide a full and thorough investigation.”

Janes said little after that, issuing just two brief statements, according to testimony at the inquiry Tuesday.

“The silence,” as it was referred to during questioning, was finally broken on Nov. 28, 2016, with the release of reports on the shooting from RCMP investigators, consultants from the Saskatoon police, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team and retired Justice David Riche.

The chief took part in a news conference as the documents went out, offering his wholehearted support for Smyth and speaking about the man’s solid footing as a police officer.

When asked if his silence had risked rumours or inaccurate information circulating about Smyth, Janes said he considered it more important to not say something that might be misconstrued, or otherwise harm the ongoing investigation.

“I think the integrity of the investigation is what would have to be paramount,” he said.

He also testified he felt it important to, as much as possible, be seen as an impartial adjudicator within the force.

In terms of the followup to Dunphy’s death, Janes said no new policies and procedures have yet been implemented, given the ongoing inquiry.

The use of body cameras to support officer statements has been suggested, but the chief told the inquiry the RNC is still awaiting the result of reviews and test runs in a few other jurisdictions before making any decisions about that.

Asked about the investigation of serious incidents involving police, Janes spoke in support of the creation of an independent, in-province serious-incident response team.