Obfuscated Thoughtlessness Inversed

Firlotte said the Vancouver Police Department didn't want to find the truth.

"I've never been interviewed by the VPD," he told CBC News on Monday. "How can you have somebody die who was in the custody of the VPD … and I'm one of the principals, and I've never been interviewed?

"I think they did what they felt they had to do to protect the department's reputation."

The surprise timing of the retirement announcement of Jamie Graham, Vancouver Police Chief and the nearly simultaneous reversal of the wrong-headed decision by the provincial government to overrule the Police Complaints Commissioners intent to investigate the death of Frank Paul gives the appearance that these two events are linked.

An internal police review concluded that a police van driver dumped Paul, 47, in the alley. The van driver was suspended for a day.

The fact that this investigation was so severely botched in the first place is nearly as much of a scandal as the horrific decision to allow Mr. Paul to die from exposure in an alleyway in the first place. In our racist country it is of substantial significance to have the opportunity to examine this heartless police conduct and cover-up.

This decision by the provincial government and response by Jamie Graham, opens the door for other investigations and resignations. There have been many deaths in custody in this province that need further examination, including a complete review of the circumstances that lead to Anthany Dawson's death in Victoria Police custody.

More on this story:

• Government Orders Inquiry into Death of Vancouver Man
• Inquiry finally called into death of man dumped in Vancouver alley by police
• Inquiry called into death of man who Vancouver police left in alley

"In my view, the issues in the Paul case are so serious that an inquiry is necessary in the public interest ... and best suited to arrive at the truth and make recommendations for future conduct," Ryneveld said in a summary of the Paul case in his annual report. But then-Solicitor General Rich Coleman refused to oblige, saying that he had yet to be convinced that it would be in the public interest.

Stand up, all victims of oppression
for the tyrants fear your might
Don't cling so hard to your possessions
For you have nothing, if you have no rights
Let racist ignorance be ended
For respect makes the empires fall
Freedom is merely privilege extended
Unless enjoyed by one and all
- from Billy Bragg's version of The Internationale

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