The decision of the Police Complaints Commissioner, announced Wednesday by the Heiltsuk Nation, describes the investigation of retired Judge Brian Neal into an incident that unfolded at a Bank of Montreal branch more than two years ago. In the verdict, Neil described the events as “disturbing and deeply disrespectful.” “I have found that the officers’ actions in arresting and handcuffing the parties were unreasonable and unreasonable,” Neil wrote in a decision shared by the Hillsuk Nation. “I found that no sensible police officer standing in the position of the two officers could support such actions on suspicion alone.” In December 2019, Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old granddaughter went to open a BMO bank account on Burrard Street in Vancouver. However, after they were suspected of fraud, a BMO employee called 911. Two police officers responded to the incident and handcuffed the couple. They were eventually released and the bank later apologized. The OPCC ordered an investigation into the officers’ response and Victorian Police Chief Del Manak found that discipline was not necessary. In police investigations, officials from other jurisdictions are sometimes called in to avoid the same investigation by the local department. Last July, however, the commissioner decided to seek a second opinion after ruling that Manak’s findings could be wrong. At that point Neal was assigned to investigate the incident and any possible disciplinary proceedings. “The cultural security needs of Mr Maxwell and his granddaughter, indigenous people who were under police surveillance, were simply not taken into account by these officers,” said the decision, published by the Hiltsuk Nation. “As a result, two vulnerable people of indigenous heritage were exposed to unnecessary trauma and fear and were left with a serious sense of injustice in their treatment at the hands of the police.” Neil’s report said that a counselor for Maxwell and his granddaughter suggested that there be more education and training on indigenous cultural prospects for officers, adding that this could be done at a Hillsucke community gathering. Neil wrote that he hoped that any disciplinary and corrective measures “would address and, if possible, restore trust and confidence in policing”. The report was released by the nation, but does not appear to have been posted on the OPCC website. Marilyn Schlett, elected leader of the Hillcock Nation, reiterated her call for officers to visit the nation. “We invite police officers to travel to Bella Bella to attend an apology ceremony with Max, his granddaughter and our community,” Schlett said in a statement referring to Neil’s report. “This story has become a symbol of the fight against systemic racism and we are committed to working with officials to make a broader change and ensure that this never happens again.” With files from Maria Weisgarber and Ben Nesbit of CTV News Vancouver
