Inquiry called into Native man's police-related death

Friday, February 23, 2007  

The British Columbia government has called an inquiry into the death of a Native man who was dumped in an alley by police officers in Vancouver.

Frank Paul, a Mi'kmaq from the Big Cove First Nation in New Brunswick, died in December 1998. After being arrested for public drunkenness, police left him in an alley on a cold, rainy night.

In 2004, the B.C. Solicitor General conducted a review of the case but government lawyers said there was no new information that could lead to criminal charges. The driver of the police van was suspended for a day.

But with new allegations, the current B.C. Solicitor General said an inquiry was warranted. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs have been calling for an independent investigation.

Get the Story:
B.C. to probe native man's death (CBC 2/22)

Relevant Documents:
Frank Joseph Paul: REASONS FOR DECISION (January 20, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs - http://www.ubcic.bc.ca

Related Stories:
First Nations seek inquiry into police-related death (2/21)
Police won't face charges for dumping Native man (06/21)
Native man's death in B.C. getting another review (03/26)
B.C. First Nations demand inquiry into man's death (3/22)
B.C. inquiry rejected into death of Native man (3/19)
B.C. police reopen probe into death of Native man (06/25)
Native family wants inquiry into son's death (06/09)
B.C. official under fire for Native remarks (04/09)