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Canada
Police officer in Native teen's death faces firing


A police officer linked to the death of 17-year-old Cree Native teen is likely to be fired, the officer's lawyer said.

Const. Brad Senger of the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, police force was one of the last persons to see Neil Stonechild alive. An official government inquiry said there is "no question" Senger and another officer took Stonechild into custody the night before he died.

Senger and the other officer, Const. Larry Hartwig, were placed on leave after the release of the report. The inquiry found that marks on Stonechild's face were 'likely" caused by police handcuffs.

The Saskatoon mayor and police chiefs say they support a recommendation made in the report to set up an independent office to review complaints against police. The report said Native people were not likely to lodge complaints with the police due to long-standing racial tensions.

Get the Story:
Cop to be fired: lawyer (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 10/28)
Commissioners support new complaint process (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 10/28)
Saskatoon mayor calls for changes after Stonechild report (CBC 10/28)

Get the Report:
Report of the Commission of Inquiry Into Matters Relating to the Death of Neil Stonechild (October 2004)

Relevant Links:
Stonechild Inquiry - http://www.stonechildinquiry.ca
Starlight Tours, from the CBC - http://cbc.ca/national/magazine/starlight/index.html

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