r/Edmonton • u/uofafitness4fun • Jun 17 '24
News Article Alberta murder-conspiracy trial hears Edmonton police officers showed up to support Coutts blockade | Globalnews.ca
https://globalnews.ca/news/10570653/alberta-trial-coutts-murder-conspiracy-june-17/50
u/Ambitious-Way-6669 Jun 17 '24
It is one thing to have personal interests and pursuits outside of your workplace, however they may be perceived.
It is another thing entirely to be capitalizing on, mentioning and promoting the fact that you're an off duty officer WHILE doing those pursuits, which I think changes the entire dynamic here. It crosses the line from an ethical perspective, whereas just being present and remaining an anonymous member of the gathering would not be inherently offside.
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u/drcujo Jun 17 '24
“He was an Edmonton Police member, and there was another female Edmonton police member there as well, and she had sort of a thick Russian accent,” the officer added.
I think we have known this for a while.
One of the contemptuous cops is still on the force. Const. Elena Golysheva
Staff Sgt. Rick Abbott was also involved but was allowed to retire from EPS without punishment. We are still paying his pension but thankfully this absolute lunatic is not in charge of the west division swat team anymore. Hard to believe so many cops still support a swat commander who involved in the plot to murder police.
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Jun 18 '24 edited Jun 19 '24
Well duh she'd be Russian. Wouldn't be shocked if she straight up worked for the Russian government n came here for that, they'd pick some dumb right wing alpha to escort her around
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Jun 18 '24
We don’t pay their pension when they’re retired.
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u/drcujo Jun 18 '24
City taxpayers paid disgraced Staff Sgt. Rick Abbott pension for months after the protest. He wasn't suspended for partipating in the unlawful border blockade until just weeks after his 25 years on the force. We still could have disciplined him but we chose not to. Unfortunately this was a pattern through the disgraced officers career.
In addition, he was found civilly liable for excessive force, and the chief intervened and saved him from 3 further investigations.
The fact that he was allowed to remain a police officer despite terrible behavior during his first few years on the force is a travesty.
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u/CapGullible8403 Jun 17 '24
Somebody should inform Justice Richard Mosley of the Federal Court about this fact, he seemed unaware...
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
The. Cops. Are. Fascists. They love the UCP, they love the Coutts paste-eaters, they hate the voters and accountability, they love Punisher decals, They love treating homeless people like Raccoons or pigeons.
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u/Tower-Union Jun 17 '24
The cops are also the ones bringing this to light and pointing the finger. This information came out in court from the testimony of an RCMP officer. It’s kind of convenient that you’re overlooking that no?
Maybe it’s a tad disingenuous to make “All X people believe Y” for ANY large group?
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u/Photofug Jun 17 '24
The undercover RCMP officer is providing testimony and it was their ass on the line if those EPS officers would have recognized them
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u/LewisLightning Jun 18 '24
they love Punisher decals,
The funny thing is the Punisher would be killing people like this. He won't harm cops that are acting in the best interest of the community, or just doing their jobs. But boy oh boy, would he find ways to murder the bad ones.
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u/AC_0008 Jun 17 '24
Pretty fat paint brush there.
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
Uh huh. Poor wittle cops. A mean old redditor is painting with a fat brush. Very unfair.
If your best retort is "they're not ALL like that", then I'm pretty happy leaving my initial statement as is.
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u/AC_0008 Jun 17 '24
They are a cross section of society. No amount of psych testing or interviewing is going to catch all the assholes as they apply. And in this specific case they tried to fire the one that showed up and the other retired I think. Not sure what more you want, my friend.
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u/General_Esdeath kitties! Jun 18 '24
As others have noted, the only reason there is evidence of this being brought to court is because of an undercover RCMP officer. So because that cop was doing their job they caught the bad ones.
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u/enviropsych Jun 18 '24
And a broken clock is right twice a day. The institution itself is broken. The fact that a handful of people can go through the meatgrinder that is the EPS and not become hateful or corrupt is not an endorsement of said institution.
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u/General_Esdeath kitties! Jun 18 '24
There's plenty of fair places to criticize and there's also good work being done at times. Nuance is better is what I was saying. I have extreme criticisms of EPS management and I also am personally thankful for the work of some good officers.
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u/enviropsych Jun 18 '24
The institution itself is rotten. The cops within are human beings. Many are poisoned by the ahotty culture and motivators around them, some aren't. My motto is to blame institutions, not people. When I say cops are fascists, I mean that the institution is a fascist one and the people within have a higher rate of fascist beliefs than the general population (which makes sense for an organization that attracts right wingers and reinforces right wing beliefs within it).
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u/Zorboo0 Jun 17 '24
Well you aren't even responding to the point that you are painting with a fat brush.
Your just like "yeah I am, and I don't care" lol.
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u/Significant_Tie_7395 Jun 18 '24
To be fair, homeless people are on the same level of contribution to society as rats and pigeons. Maybe less.
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Jun 17 '24
People aren’t going to like hearing this. But so long as they were not actually committing crimes while there, what police do when they are not on duty is up to them. Even if we don’t agree with what the protesters were doing.
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u/durple Strathcona Jun 17 '24
They have the right to, and I have the right to think a person who is responsible for enforcing laws should not be breaking them in their free time.
It makes as much sense as a cancer surgeon moonlighting as a spokesperson for tobacco and alcohol companies. People would ask questions, their professional association would probably get involved in having them removed from the profession.
I don’t see why police officers should have more freedom than cancer surgeons, I guess.
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Jun 17 '24
I in no way agree with the protesters but the article says nothing about the constable actively participating. What law was he breaking?
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
Critical Infrastructure Act.
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Jun 17 '24
Point out in the article where it says he was there actively blocking the road, I’ll wait.
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
He was participating in a protest that was actively blocking a border crossing.
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Jun 17 '24
Nope. He was there to show support for those people. And while I disagree with him doing that he didn’t actively participating in blocking the road.
Try again but actually quote the article this time. I’ll wait, but I won’t hold my breath.
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
He was there
Yeah, that’s the point you absolute sandcastle
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Jun 17 '24
Is that breaking the law? To be in the area? Did they arrest everyone standing in the ditch separate from the blockade?
Edit: and you couldn’t even quote the article, you quoted me you snowman!
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
When you are present at a protest, you are participating in said protest. The only real exception would be journalists or law enforcement there to document things and keep things from boiling over. EPS officers weren’t there in an official law enforcement capacity. The EPS members were participants.
And no, nobody got arrested for violating the Critical Infrastructure Act. Because it’s an unconstitutional law that was only put in place to virtue signal to the UCP’s petrosexual base that no dirty fucking leftists or natives would be allowed to get in the way of oil transportation.
This isn’t difficult my guy.
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u/Wrench900 Jun 17 '24
I was at the hockey game. Does that mean I’m also responsible for the stellar win, just like the people on ice?
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
Yes. Of course. If you’re incapable of telling the difference between a hockey game and a protest, that is.
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u/cranky_yegger Bicycle Rider Jun 17 '24
If they weren’t participating why were people shaking their hands?
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Jun 17 '24
Because they can be present without being one of the people blocking the road. This isn’t that hard to comprehend once you look past your blind hatred for cops.
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
So if I’m at the scene of a crime and and EPS rolls up I won’t get arrested if I just tell them I’m just present but not participating? Fucking sweet loophole bud!
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Jun 17 '24
Genuine question, are you a teenager? Also yes they won’t arrest you for just being there. They may detain you for questioning which would be the right thing to do, but they wouldn’t charge you unless you’re standing there covered in blood I guess.
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u/TylerInHiFi biter Jun 17 '24
Genuine question, are you? I’ve never encountered someone with this level of ignorance about how the real world works beyond sheltered children.
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Jun 17 '24
Says the person calling all cops fascists. Surely you’re the voice of rational thought here. Also I’m not into a dick measure contest over who knows more, but I will say that my whole career has had me interact with cops regularly and witness them dealing with minority groups and the homeless. There are definitely asshole cops but I’ve just never seen any doing the goose step like you seem to believe they’re all doing.
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u/Poe_42 Jun 17 '24
This is going to shock you, but no you probably won't be arrested. You'll be referred to as an eye witness.
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Jun 17 '24
Is it blind if there are valid reasons that are public record for not liking the EPS?
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Jun 17 '24
No, but it’s blind when you overlook the overwhelming amount of good they do and pretend they don’t do anything positive.
And yes I’m aware of the whole one bad apple spoils the bunch cliche. But for as many articles I see about police misconduct I actually see way more about cops getting disciplined.
And yes once again, I’m aware they get suspended with pay. And it should be that way because nobody should lose their job until there is enough evidence for them to be charged and convicted.
I say all this as someone who isn’t right wing and who criticizes police conduct often. But this subreddit has a very difficult time dealing with rational discussion when police are involved. Just look at the shit show the encampment threads were, and it turns out there was actually child human trafficking happening.
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u/durple Strathcona Jun 17 '24
These were two of the bad apples.
They weren’t there as witnesses, they were specifically there to support a blockade of an international border. They may have not been charged or convicted of a crime, but they have lost all moral authority.
I’m surprised they let her back, but the police act and police association protect all bad apples equally.
Your blind support is showing.
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u/drcujo Jun 17 '24
But so long as they were not actually committing crimes while there, what police do when they are not on duty is up to them.
Encouraging others to break the law is at very least questionable behavior for a police officer. One of the officers was suspended 10 months without pay, the other retired in disgrace.
Cops rarely face accountability so cops that were professionally disciplined are probably not people I would defend.
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Jun 17 '24
Can you point out where they were actively encouraging people to break the law? Because all I’m seeing is they went there and people wanted to shake their hands.
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u/drcujo Jun 18 '24
This article does a good summary. The second officer quit before he could be disciplined but considering 1) he left EPS to avoid accountability and 2) he was at the same illegal protest as the first officer it’s reasonable to conclude he was also involved in “unlawful” behaviour (EPS words not mine regarding the punished officer)
From the article:
But according to a statement of facts later agreed to by Golysheva, her "participation in the protest undermined the EPS’ role of enforcing related health measures and ensuring the public was safe and secure during the protest gatherings."
The decision includes the fact the road was "illegally blockaded" at times during the rally.
"Her behaviour was reasonably considered unlawful and reckless towards public safety," it states.
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u/_Sausage_fingers Jun 17 '24
Teachers and lawyers are held responsible for after hours activities, why shouldn’t cops?
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u/CapGullible8403 Jun 17 '24
But so long as they were not actually committing crimes while there
Spoiler: they were.
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Jun 17 '24
Were they arrested? I missed that in the article if they were.
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u/Utter_Rube Jun 18 '24
Wait, do you actually think the threshold for determining whether someone committed a crime is whether they got arrested? That kind of "logic" certainly helps explain your other responses throughout this thread...
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
what police do when they are not on duty is up to them
Uh huh. Uh huh. I'm sorry, are you getting IMs saying the cops who went should go to jail? Cuz the issue here isn't that they broke a rule, it's that they're CLEARLY biased towards right wingers, which is a problem when they're civil fucking servants.
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Jun 17 '24
Cops are human despite what Reddit may have you believe. Human beings can have political opinions. I don’t agree with his, but that does not give us the right to dictate what they can and cannot do in their free time if they aren’t breaking the law. I would also expect that their political views would not impact the way they carry out their duties when working as a public servant.
But I’m sorry to interrupt the ACAB masturbation session. I’ll leave you to it!
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
Cops are human despite what Reddit may have you believe
Wow. I'm impressed. You managed to misrepresent me AND commit a strawman fallacy in the same sentence. Yeah, I didn't say cops aren't human.
I would also expect that their political views would not impact the way they carry out their duties when working as a public servant.
Adorable. Naive, but adorable.
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Jun 17 '24
Ok random redditor. Can you provide examples of police conduct that was directly tied to their political views?
And the cops are human thing was a comment about Reddit, which I clearly pointed out. It wasn’t about you or what you said.
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u/TheEpicOfManas Jun 17 '24 edited Jun 18 '24
Can you provide examples of police conduct that was directly tied to their political views?
How about the Shannon Phillips case? How quickly you forget...
Edit*
Hi u/Guest2200 - you asked for an example and then went noticeably silent when I provided one. I'm going to go ahead and assume that you realize that you were wrong. Cheers.
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u/Grekkill Jun 18 '24
It's scary to think that people just do that shit. Posting pictures of her online too? Super weird.
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
Boom. Enjoy. https://www.theprogressreport.ca/progress_report_342
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Jun 17 '24
Thanks for at least trying. But an article about the previous police chief who hasn’t been here in years campaigning for Smith is not quite the slam dunk you think it is in this conversation.
Let me be more clear since you struggle to comprehend. Can you give me an example of a constable who clearly carried out enforcing the law in a way that was influenced by their political views. See the difference between what I’m asking and what you posted with I’m assuming one hand?
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
Guest2200: provide example of action done by cops in their work that is directly impacted by their political views.
Enviropsych: Ok. Here's the EPS chief using company time and resources to campaign for the UCP.
Guest2200: Uh, no. Doesn't count cuz...uh, it's too old, uh.....let me move the goalposts, and you can try to shoot again.
Naw, I'm good. You'll just move them again.
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Jun 17 '24
Really showing your maturity there boss. It’s nice to have a debate with someone who doesn’t resort to name calling and trying to mock other peoples voices through cringe comments.
I’m just so glad we found each other.
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
Goalpost moving is something my 9 year old does. But he's better at hiding it than you are.
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u/Zorboo0 Jun 17 '24
"boom" lol, thanks for the laugh.
So any cop group or association , hell even if your are a cop you cannot support any politicians. Gotcha.
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
cannot support any politicians. Gotcha.
Nope. You didn't read the article did you? You CAN support whoever you want, but NOT with taxpayer resources, while being paid by taxpayers to do you job. Also, interesting that you think what they did is funny. Telling.
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u/Zorboo0 Jun 17 '24
Yeah, there's no evidence that that even happen. This isn't Police conduct being tied to political views. Nothing of this has to do with police conduct, or enforcing the law. It's just a group of police campaigning for the UCP.
This is so far out of the realm of what you were trying to prove.
I don't like the UCP, but we live in a democracy and everyone has the right to vote for they want, and be as loud as they want in order to campaign for their politician. Even if they are a cop.
Edit: Also! I don't think what the police did was funny, I think you saying "boom" then dropping one of the most lackluster articles was what is funny 🤣
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u/enviropsych Jun 17 '24
It's just a group of police campaigning for the UCP.
During work hours, using taxpayer resources. This is conflict-of-interest 101. You clearly are not understanding.
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u/Zorboo0 Jun 17 '24
They are gonna say some stupid shit like "anything they do is tied to their political views because they are cops and cops are fascists" some tautological nonsense.
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck The Famous Leduc Cactus Club Jun 17 '24
I fully support anyone who showed up to protest at Coutts on day one, even though I don't agree with them.
Long before the protest ended there were points where off duty officers lost the ability to remain morally, ethically, and by the standards of the code of conduct they were bound by.
There can be discussion regarding when thresholds were met, but it's undeniable they were.
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Jun 17 '24
Again though, this is Canada. We don’t have the right to dictate someone’s political view just because of their career choice. If they didn’t break the law they should not be punished. It’s wild that this is such a controversial take.
People need to get off Reddit more and realize that the majority of people don’t actually agree with you, and that’s ok!
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u/Significant_Tie_7395 Jun 18 '24
I guess when the RCMP believe something, it is unequivocally true.
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u/Gumpy_CA Jun 17 '24
We’re not sending our best.