Latest news with #Mounties
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
RCMP says it will collect info on possible war crimes in Gaza war
OTTAWA — The RCMP says it will "proactively" collect information about possible war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Israel-Hamas armed conflict. In a Wednesday statement, the Mounties stressed that they have no criminal investigations underway but they want to collect information on possible crimes by any party involved in the conflict. "The primary objective is to proactively collect relevant information that may support future investigative steps, should jurisdictional and legal thresholds be met," says the statement. The statement came from the force's Ontario division based in London, and not from the headquarters in Ottawa. The RCMP says it initiated "a structural investigation" in "early 2024" of the conflict that started in October 2023, when Hamas militants brazenly attacked Israel and took dozens of hostages, prompting Israel to bombard the Gaza Strip and restrict food deliveries. "A structural investigation is a broad, intelligence-led intake process designed to collect, preserve, and assess information potentially relevant under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. This includes gathering open-source material and voluntary submissions from individuals wishing to provide information," the statement says. The RCMP said that this is standard procedure and the force hasn't initiated any criminal probes. "Should a perpetrator of core international crimes — such as genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity — with the appropriate nexus to Canada be identified, the RCMP will initiate a separate criminal investigation," the statement reads. The force says it has faced technical delays in rolling out "a secure online portal available in French, English, Hebrew and Arabic, to facilitate (investigations) and secure any submissions of information by the public and potential witnesses." "We urge the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions about the RCMP's role or intent," the statement wrote. "This initiative is solely focused on collecting relevant information and does not target any community or group." The RCMP statement comes after the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs suggested that talk of war crimes probes encourage "false narratives" that can fuel a rise in antisemitic violence. 'Any suggestion that Israeli-Canadians should be targeted for their service — particularly in a war of self-defence waged by a close ally of Canada — not only represents a cynical distortion of the law, but fuels the violent hatred faced by Israelis and Jews in North America,' the group added after the RCMP news release. It encouraged anyone with knowledge of Hamas crimes to report using the RCMP platform once it's in place. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, a group advocating for Palestinians, has asked the RCMP to probe Canadian citizens serving in the Israeli military in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, given "the serious likelihood that they are involved in the commission of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
RCMP says Saskatchewan commanding officer away, interim head in place
REGINA - RCMP say Saskatchewan's commanding officer will be away for an undetermined period of time effective immediately. Mounties didn't provide details on Rhonda Blackmore's absence but say assistant commissioner Robin McNeil will serve as interim commanding officer. They say the decision won't affect front-line policing and that they have confidence in all officers in the province.. Blackmore took command of the Saskatchewan RCMP in April 2021, after serving various posts across Canada for 30 years. She spent her first years as an officer in the Saskatchewan communities of Assiniboia, Regina and Buffalo Narrows. In 2022, she launched the RCMP's first unit aimed at recruiting Indigenous people to ensure Mounties represent the communities they serve. She was also the public face of the force after the mass killings on James Smith Cree Nation in 2022. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
RCMP says it will collect info on possible war crimes in Gaza war
OTTAWA – The RCMP says it will 'proactively' collect information about possible war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Israel-Hamas armed conflict. In a Wednesday statement, the Mounties stressed that they have no criminal investigations underway but they want to collect information on possible crimes by any party involved in the conflict. 'The primary objective is to proactively collect relevant information that may support future investigative steps, should jurisdictional and legal thresholds be met,' says the statement. The statement came from the force's Ontario division based in London, and not from the headquarters in Ottawa. The RCMP says it initiated 'a structural investigation' in 'early 2024' of the conflict that started in October 2023, when Hamas militants brazenly attacked Israel and took dozens of hostages, prompting Israel to bombard the Gaza Strip and restrict food deliveries. 'A structural investigation is a broad, intelligence-led intake process designed to collect, preserve, and assess information potentially relevant under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. This includes gathering open-source material and voluntary submissions from individuals wishing to provide information,' the statement says. The RCMP said that this is standard procedure and the force hasn't initiated any criminal probes. 'Should a perpetrator of core international crimes — such as genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity — with the appropriate nexus to Canada be identified, the RCMP will initiate a separate criminal investigation,' the statement reads. The force says it has faced technical delays in rolling out 'a secure online portal available in French, English, Hebrew and Arabic, to facilitate (investigations) and secure any submissions of information by the public and potential witnesses.' 'We urge the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions about the RCMP's role or intent,' the statement wrote. 'This initiative is solely focused on collecting relevant information and does not target any community or group.' The RCMP statement comes after the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs suggested that talk of war crimes probes encourage 'false narratives' that can fuel a rise in antisemitic violence. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, a group advocating for Palestinians, has asked the RCMP to probe Canadian citizens serving in the Israeli military in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, given 'the serious likelihood that they are involved in the commission of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Global News
16 hours ago
- General
- Global News
Saskatchewan RCMP commanding officer away for ‘undetermined' period
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook RCMP say Saskatchewan's commanding officer will be away for an undetermined period of time effective immediately. Mounties didn't provide details on Rhonda Blackmore's absence but say assistant commissioner Robin McNeil will serve as interim commanding officer. They say the decision won't affect front-line policing and that they have confidence in all officers in the province.. Story continues below advertisement Blackmore took command of the Saskatchewan RCMP in April 2021, after serving various posts across Canada for 30 years. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She spent her first years as an officer in the Saskatchewan communities of Assiniboia, Regina and Buffalo Narrows. In 2022, she launched the RCMP's first unit aimed at recruiting Indigenous people to ensure Mounties represent the communities they serve. She was also the public face of the force after the mass killings on James Smith Cree Nation in 2022.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. RCMP undercover officer posing as postal employee breached rights of accused
A judge has ruled that Kelowna RCMP violated an accused's Charter rights by sending an undercover officer posing as a Canada Post carrier to deliver a package rigged with an alarm and a dye pack during a weapons investigation. Police devised a plan to deliver the package to Thomas Troy Dill after Canadian border officers in Vancouver alerted Mounties in 2022 to a shipment from China containing two silencers, which are illegal in Canada. Minutes after the package was delivered, Dill opened it, triggering the alarm, and waiting police armed with a warrant entered his apartment. He was later arrested and charged with smuggling firearms and drug possession. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Dill's lawyer alleged his Charter rights were breached and a four-day hearing was held in B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna in April and May to determine whether the evidence was admissible, according to a judgment released on Monday. Justice Edlyn Laurie ruled the delivery of the package constituted an illegal search, even though Dill invited the officer posing as a mail courier into the building. She ruled police overstepped their authority because the general warrant 'did not authorize the controlled delivery of the package by the (undercover agent) to Mr. Dill.' The officer who sought the warrant, identified only as Const. Riley, testified he included that an undercover officer would pose as a postal carrier, but he wasn't aware of details of how that would be done. He said he didn't believe the delivery constituted a search. Dill's lawyer argued it was a search because the undercover officer's purpose in being at the door was to gather evidence, according to Laurie's decision. The Charter protected Dill in his suite but 'the point of contention here … is whether Mr. Dill had a reasonable expectation of privacy in observations made of him and in his interactions with the (undercover officer) at the doorway of the unit. In my view, he did,' wrote Laurie. Dill's privacy interest wasn't 'extinguished simply because he opened the door,' she wrote. 'Courts have found that Section 8 of the Charter protects individuals from unauthorized police surveillance inside residential buildings where it interferes with the person's reasonable expectation of privacy,' she wrote. The prosecutor said the warrant was accompanied by an 'assistance order' that directed Canada Post to provide assistance to the RCMP and that 'implicitly the controlled delivery was judicially authorized,' the decision said. Laurie didn't agree, ruling the assistance order didn't authorize the controlled delivery. Dill's lawyer also argued police had illegally searched Dill's apartment when they entered to retrieve the rigged parcel but also searched the rest of the suite while they were inside. The general warrant had authorized police to replace the contents of the package, install an alarm and a dye pack, and to enter his apartment as soon as the alarm had been activated. The officers had permission to enter the apartment only to retrieve the package and its contents, Dill's lawyer argued, but the prosecution said the warrant didn't specify how the premises were to be searched and the search was therefore 'Charter-compliant.' The judge ruled with the prosecution on that search and on a third Charter breach allegation that Dill's right to counsel was delayed because he wasn't allowed to speak to a lawyer for one hour and 18 minutes after his arrest. Const. Shawn Murphy, who entered Dill's apartment after the alarm was triggered, said he was looking for the package as he went down a hallway toward the bathroom, bedroom and closet, and saw a handgun sticking out from under clothes and a long gun in a duffel bag on the floor. He also saw some Ziploc bags on the bathroom floor and one in the toilet as well as methamphetamine residue on the toilet seat. The existence of those items was then used to apply for a search warrant for drugs and weapons, according to the decision. Murphy testified even though a police emergency response team had checked the apartment, he wasn't certain there weren't animals or booby traps in the suite, and as he moved through the apartment, he was always looking for the package. He said he later saw the empty package in the kitchen and a silencer on a recliner in the living room. The judge accepted the testimony of that timeline in rejecting the defence challenge. Although Murphy was questioned at length about how he could have missed the packaging and the silencer, 'it was never put to him that he had improper motives in searching the unit,' said Laurie. slazaruk@
