Shot to death by the RCMP

Last week the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Ian Bush in Houston, B.C. concluded with some pretty tame recommendations, like officers should not be alone with arrested suspects, and that audio and visual recorders be installed in detachments.

The whole incident stinks.

The officer involved, Const. Paul Koester, declined to take the stand to explain or demonstrate how he was pinned face down to a couch by Mr. Bush, felt so endangered that he drew his revolver and managed to shoot Mr. Bush in the back of the head. Worse, he destroyed his notes of the incident, and was not questioned by the RCMP for three months after the fact. He was even provided the questions ahead of time.

The whole incident stinks.

A blood spatter expert testified that the evidence did not support Const. Koester’s version of events – it was ‘impossible’. The Constable declined to take the stand and explain anything. As a public employee, Const. Koester was provided with three paid attorneys. The Bush family solicited donations to pay for their lawyer, and no doubt used a large amount of personal savings. Is this fair? Is this justice?

The whole incident stinks.

The RCMP has a new Commissioner that takes office this week. The first Commissioner to not be an RCMP officer, William Elliott has the opportunity to right a wrong, to send a clear message to the force that change is needed and change is coming. He should call for and support a full public inquiry into the arrest, death, and investigation of Ian Bush. Anything less threatens to tarnish further the RCMP’s reputation.