Treaty 3 seeks investigation changes after shooting

In the wake of the shooting of a 39-year old Grassy Narrows woman, Treaty 3 is calling for changes in the way police officer-caused injuries are investigated.
Helen Proulx was seriously injured June 7 in Kenora after police responded to a call of a domestic incident at a home.
Proulx was shot twice by an Ontario Provincial Police officer during what has been described as “an altercation” and was treated at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre.
Treaty 3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly said there was “excessive force” used in the incident.
Because injuries were sustained when an officer discharged a weapon, the Special Investigations Unit will automatically investigate the incident.
“The OPP are expected to be neutral in situations of domestic disturbances,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister.
“The Grassy Narrows experience is that bias and stereotype is an unwanted intruder in objective decision-making by law enforcement. The OPP are attending a stressful situation and we believe bias and stereotype might play a role in an over-reaction by officers which results in such tragic circumstance as the shooting of Helen Proulx.”
The chiefs of Treaty 3 have demanded this investigation by the SIU be transparent and procedurally fair to all parties involved.
A vigil in Proulx’s honour was held several days after the incident at the site where it took place in Kenora.