Latest news with #anti-riot
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Victoria officer gets 7-day suspension over death of woman hit by anti-riot rounds
Former B.C. judge Wally Oppal has issued a seven-day suspension without pay for a Victoria police officer who used an anti-riot weapon that killed a woman. Oppal listens to a government announcement during a news conference in the press theatre at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito A Victoria police officer who was found to have made a serious error in judgment when he fired an anti-riot weapon into a smoke-filled room in 2019, hitting a woman in the head and killing her, has been handed a seven-day suspension without pay. Adjudicator Wally Oppal, who was appointed by B.C.'s police watchdog, announced the punishment Thursday, calling Sgt. Ron Kirkwood a good police officer who had a bad moment during a challenging call, which led to 'catastrophic circumstances.' Oppal ruled last month that the officer's use of the anti-riot weapon that killed 43-year-old Lisa Rauch was 'reckless and unnecessary.' He said the officer had an exemplary record, and had made a serious but not malicious error in judgment. He said he was satisfied that the misconduct 'in the context of other relevant factors does not justify dismissal, demotion or a lengthy suspension.' Oppal, who is a former B.C. Supreme Court judge, was appointed by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner to review the evidence against the officer and determined earlier that Kirkwood committed misconduct when he used the weapon on Rauch, who was in a drug-induced psychosis. Oppal's ruling last month said police were called on Christmas Day 2019 to a Victoria apartment where Rauch had been using drugs and alcohol. It said when police entered the apartment, their view was obscured by smoke from a fire and they believed Rauch was standing, but she was sitting and was hit in the head by two plastic projectiles. Oppal said Thursday that Kirkwood's remorse was genuine and he was very unlikely to repeat his misconduct. 'However, I have to consider the whole of the circumstances, and here the incident was serious. It was a momentary one, and it was an error made in judgment. I have to consider that.' Oppal said the officer is on medical leave and has missed 'significant time' from work to address his post-traumatic stress stemming from the death. Among his recommendations are that the Victoria Police Department take steps to ensure front-line officers wear body cameras. Oppal acknowledged that the department expects the equipment in the coming years. 'I urge them to attach priority to the acquisition.' He said communication between the department and the victim's family lacked 'sensitivity,' included delays in providing information, along with 'multiple instances of misinformation.' He also criticized the communication between the department and Kirkwood, noting the officer was told of the woman's death by text. 'I accept fully the trauma that he experienced and I recognize what he had gone through. In my view, he could have been treated with much more sensitivity,' Oppal said. This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published June 12, 2025.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Non-citizen LA rioters could be deported under new House bill
FIRST ON FOX: Some House Republicans are now considering whether non-citizens who are found to have participated in violent anti-law enforcement riots have a right to stay in the United States. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, is leading a bill that would make non-U.S. citizens convicted of "actual or attempted assault, battery, or use of force" against any law enforcement officer eligible for deportation. Any immigrants deported under the legislation, if enacted, would be permanently barred from the United States. "The thing about breaking the law is, there's effectively a waiving of your constitutional rights that's sort of inherent in our system, right? When you go to prison, you're losing your liberty," Crenshaw told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday. "So this is a very normal thing, and in the case of say, people who are here legally, but then committing acts of violence – in this case, we're being really specific, during a national emergency, committing assaults against police officers, and destruction of property – that should have an effect and be on the list of things that allows for revocation of your status." Early bill text obtained by Fox News Digital shows the bill would apply to legal permanent residents, people here illegally, and beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. It would go into effect when presidents, governors or local leaders make emergency or major disaster declarations. It comes amid continued tensions in Los Angeles, where protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations turned violent across the city this weekend. Rioters were seen burning American flags and cars stood on the street in flames, while police used pepper spray and rubber bullets on crowds outside federal buildings. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard despite the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and ordered 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as well. Those Marines will be training in Seal Beach for a few more days before deployment, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of escalating violence in Los Angeles, while Republicans argue that federal action is necessary based on the state's handling of the situation. Crenshaw said his legislation would help the administration restore order during such times. "What it would do is, it would give the administration the option to say, yeah we've rounded all these people up, half of them are U.S. citizens, okay, you're going to jail for rioting. Maybe another quarter are illegals, well that's easy you can deport them," he said. "But what about the other quarter? You know, that might be…a number of legal aliens here rioting against America for enforcing our immigration laws. In our minds, you've violated that sort of social contract with the United States at that point." Crenshaw said he spoke with the White House and that officials there were "excited" about the bill. The White House said it would not get in front of the president on legislative matters when reached for comment by Fox News Digital. Currently, legal U.S. residents, including green card holders, can have their status revoked by an immigration judge if they are found guilty of certain crimes or are found to have fraudulently misrepresented themselves in their application for residence. Crimes that would make legal U.S. visa holders and green card holders eligible for deportation currently include murder, drug trafficking and rape.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Northwestern Ont. man shot during arrest, investigation underway
The ARWEN launcher fires a solid plastic projectile, called a baton, intended to disable a suspect instead of killing them. (File photo) Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot with an anti-riot weapon by officers responding to an assault in the northwestern part of the province Sunday morning. Paramedics who were called to a home in Onigaming First Nation contacted police when the individual became confrontational, forcing them to retreat, Ontario's Special Investigations Unit said in a news release Monday. Treaty Three Police Service, along with the Ontario Provincial Police emergency response team and canine unit, responded shortly before 6 a.m. June 8, OPP said. The scene was contained and as the man was exiting the residence, an interaction between him and police led to one of the officers discharging his crowd control device at the man. The weapon -- known as an ARWEN -- is a less lethal launcher system that is classified as a firearm. The 22-year-old man was struck, but did not suffer any serious injury, the SIU said. Police did specify the type of munition used. He was arrested and the OPP notified the SIU, which invoked its mandate to investigate instances when police discharged a firearm at an individual. 'Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case,' SIU said. 'The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at The agency will investigate whether or not there are grounds for criminal charges or if the use of force was reasonable in the circumstances. Its findings will be published publicly. Support to people affected by the incident is offered by the SIU, including loved ones, family members and civilian witnesses. 'If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: the SIU said. 'The aim of the program is to meaningfully respond to the emotional and practical needs of those persons impacted by incidents under SIU investigation.' Onagaming First Nation is located 115 kilometres southeast of Kenora near the Manitoba border.
