The FSIN
Justice Secretariat’s Special Investigations Unit was
established in response the Federation’s call for a public
inquiry into the justice system in February 2000. The call for
a public inquiry came in response to: the death of Earla Brass
in the Federally Sentenced Women’s unit at the Saskatchewan
Penitentiary, the finding of two First Nations men who had frozen
to death outside of Saskatoon, and the report by Darrell Night
that two officers had driven him to the countryside and left
him in the freezing cold.
As a result
of intense media coverage of these events, calls began to flood
into the Federation. Many callers phoned to extend their support
to the Federation for the call for a public inquiry.
On March
1, 2000 the Federation opened up a Toll-Free Help Line to recieve
calls regarding abuse by police officers and other personnel
within institutions of justice in Saskatchewan. On April 9,
2000, the Federation hired two private investigators to follow
up on the complaints received via the Help Line.
Objectives
To
provide First Nation members, who have been mistreated by law
enforcement officers with a complaint friendly alternative to
mainstream offices of public complaints;
To ensure that all complaints are investigated thoroughly;
To provide
complainants with such protection from retaliation or other
discomfort as they may require.
Program
Delivery
Complaints
are received by the Special Investigations Unit either directly
or through departmental staff.
The Investigator reviews all material related to the complaint;
Advises
complainant of a best course of action; and pursues the direction
given by the complainant;
The Investigator
makes inquiries necessary to substantiate the complaint.
How
a Complaint is Lodged
Individuals
who wish to lodge a complaint through the Special Investigations
Unit may do so in several ways:
Contact the Special Investigations Unit at 1-877-353-3746 or
(306) 665-2240;
Speak
with any member of the FSIN Justice Secretariat Staff; or write
to:
Federation
of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Justice
Secretariat
Special
Investigations Unit (SIU)
Suite
200, 103A Packham Avenue
Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan
S7N
4K4
After
a Complaint is Made
The
Special Investigations Unit will contact the complainant and set
up an interview. During the interview, the complainant is requested
to provide as much information as possible.
Complainants
are advised of the Special Investigations Unit main principle
that “each complainant owns their experience and has a right
to determine how information is forwarded. No steps will be taken
without authorization of the complainant”
Complainants are advised of the appropriate complaint agencies
involved with a file;
RCMP
Public Complaints Commission;
Saskatchewan Police Complaints Investigator;
Saskatchewan Police Complaints Commission;
Internal Investigations of the involved police force.
Once
the Process is understood, the complainant must decide how
he/she wishes to proceed with the complaint:
If the Special Investigations Unit is to proceed with
his/her complaint then a statement is obtained from him/her
and from any witnesses,
Justice
Workers may refer complainants to our office.
The
Special Investigations Unit can either:
Forward
the complaint on behalf of the complainant; or
The Special Investigations Unit can monitor the complaint
to ensure it is investigated thoroughly;
If the Special Investigations Unit is to monitor the complaint,
then an Authorization for the “Release of Information”
is signed by the complainant.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What
if a Complaint has not been filed?
The Special Investigations Unit will forward a letter to the
police service or Complaints Commission with the consent of
the complainant; or
The Special Investigations Unit will request that an investigation
be conducted, thus authorizing all file information be provided
to the Special Investigations Unit. This process allows the
Special Investigations Unit to track and ensure that the complaint
is being investigated appropriately.
What
if a Complaint was filed Previously?
The Special Investigator will make a direct inquiry regarding
the status of the investigation.
Upon review of the file materials, the Special Investigations
Unit will ascertain whether the investigation was conducted
thoroughly. If the Investigator is not confident that all
possible avenues of investigation were explored by the investigating
party, a letter or meeting may be requested.
The Special Investigator may also proceed with investigating
the complaint as well. Findings of the Special Investigator
may be forwarded to the police service or complaints commission
as the complainant and Special Investigator may see fit.
It
is not the Job of the Special Investigations Unit to assist the
police service or complaints commission to do their job. However,
it is the job of the Special Investigators to ensure that they
do their job properly and thoroughly for the complainant.
Complaints
Process: Things to Remember
The
Complaints process is very rarely cut and dry or standardly sequential.
Each complaint is unique and is viewed as an individual experience
of each person. The steps outlined here will occur, however, in
what order is ultimately determined by those involved in the process.
The
complaint process does not operate independently of the complainant.
Rather, the complaint process is dependent upon the consent of
the complainant.
For
Further information please contact:
Federation
of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Justice
Secretariat
Special
Investigations Unit (SIU)
Direct:
(306) 665-2240
Main:
(306) 665-1215
Toll-Free:
1-877-353-3746
Fax:
(306) 665-0134
Email:
siu.info@fsin.com
