Release of Mayerthorpe Fatality Inquiry Report

Today, a long, sad chapter in the RCMP’s history came to a close with the release of the final report from the public inquiry examining the murders of Constables Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann.  These four courageous members were ambushed near Mayerthorpe, Alberta, on March 3, 2005.

The Public Fatality Inquiry, which began on January 10, 2011, in Stony Plain, Alberta, before the Honourable D.R. Pahl, Assistant Chief Judge presiding, was a last step in a six year legal and statutory process that saw extensive investigations, numerous reviews, and the eventual conviction of two individuals in the deaths of our four members.

Throughout the Fatality Inquiry, new details have emerged publicly – details that have caused the victims’ families, RCMP employees, and the Canadian public to relive the terrible events at Mayerthorpe. This has been very painful for all, but a necessary process in order to understand as fully as possible the events of that tragic day. The unfortunate reality however is that some questions will never be answered.  All the same, I am satisfied that the Fatality Inquiry and the RCMP have done everything it can to get to the truth, to learn from this tragedy, identify areas where we can improve and ensure that our officers are as safe as possible, wherever they are.

The RCMP has reviewed Judge Pahl’s report.  It describes the operation as “a highly professional response, by all parties, to a developing and ultimately horrific event,” adding “the considerations and actions of the local detachments, the Emergency Response Team and others involved, were entirely appropriate.”  The report also concludes that “there were no failings in the training, experience or abilities of the officers who lost their lives,” and that “this was a uniquely tragic event which could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented.”

In addition to these conclusions, Judge Pahl’s report makes recommendations to the RCMP around issues such as equipment, threat/risk assessments, scene security, and emergency medical response.

The RCMP has moved ahead with or will be moving forward on the recommendations. For instance, the RCMP is reviewing its current firearms capabilities to evaluate whether our members are adequately equipped to respond in the current threat environment. We have also purchased hard body armour, which has started to arrive in Divisions and will be worn by general duty members to meet specific elevated threats that would not be suitable for soft body armour. The objective is to distribute more than 2,800 pieces of hard body armour before the end of March 2012.

We are examining the safety of our officers during the securing of crime scenes and determining if there are areas where we can improve — whether through policies, procedures, guidelines or training.

The RCMP’s Critical Incident Program has developed a Threat/Risk Matrix which will help members assess whether a risk or threat exists, if it requires an operational plan and who to contact for one. The matrix has already undergone pilot testing in the Divisions.

Finally, the RCMP’s Emergency Medical Response Teams (EMRT) are now in operation across all Divisions. Approximately 150 regular members have completed the new training standard which focuses on tactical casualty management.

The RCMP will continue to evaluate the way we do things and to review our policies, procedures and training to enhance the safety of our members. While nothing can change the events at Mayerthorpe, I can only hope that the Fatality Inquiry, and all that was done before it, will provide a better understanding of what transpired, and finally bring some peace and closure to the families, RCMP employees, and Canadians.

A copy of the final Mayerthorpe Fatality Inquiry report can be read at: http://justice.alberta.ca/programs_services/fatality/Pages/fatality_reports.aspx.

Rod Knecht, Senior Deputy Commissioner