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RCMP search home connected to critical Re-Sergeance blog
VANCOUVER/CKNW (AM980)
Charmaine de Silva | Email news tips to charmaine.desilva@corusent.com
8/24/2012

The RCMP have executed a search warrant at the home of someone connected to a blog criticizing the force.

The Re-Sergeance Alliance blog went up earlier this month, calling for change within the RCMP.

Over the weekend, the home of someone involved with it was searched and computers were seized. The person wishes to remain anonymous.

In an e-mail to CKNW, however, Sgt. Rob Vermeulen of RCMP’s E Division denies the blog had anything to do with it.

He says the warrant for the raid – for “defamatory libel” – was for a separate criminal investigation, and the Re-Sergeance connection was purely coincidence.

Vermeulen adds Mounties are currently assessing the information obtained in the search, and that will dictate their next step.

Furthermore, a police psychologist known for speaking out against the force says he's been contacted by the target of the search.

Dr. Mike Webster says the person insists it’s indeed all about comments made on the blog.

“He mentioned to me he was directly accused of being part of the Re-Sergeance alliance, which he's really not."

Webster says that person told him he only helped get the blog online.

Despite the blog being shut down, those connected to it are using other means to contact the media.

Webster says they have asked him to distribute a letter.

The document calls on supporters to use social media to get their message across, because it’s difficult to use a blog.

Webster has a long and tumultuous history with the RCMP. The force recently cut ties with him, questioning his ability to provide effective treatment for patients while commenting public on the force.

The executive director of the BC Civil Liberties Association, meanwhile, says the seaches and subsequent RCMP comment doesn't add up.

“Usually if someone's been defamed by someone else, they go to court and they sue them for defamation. They don't get the police involved executing search warrants, seizing computers and so on, because police powers are reserved for serious criminal matters," David Eby says.


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  • 13
  1. GregT posted on 08/24/2012 06:11 PM
    touchy bunch of cops aren't they??...they are acting like the KGB....
  2. ChrisM_18 posted on 08/24/2012 06:14 PM
    Wow ... When are the RCMP going to figure oit how to do something without stepping knee deep in a pile of shit ?

    Either these guys are just so arrogant that they think they are above reasonab le legal behaviour or they are the dumbest bunch of bumblers going !!

    If there was a good reason to serve a search warrant other than to find out and silence the Resergence blog group - then they should have got ahead of the news and explained their actions clearly to all
    1. RonF_9 [deleted] posted on 08/25/2012 08:10 AM
      @ChrisM_18 I agree with all this, but the real irony is that the with internet that or another blog can be up and running in no time flat!!
    2. gordb_9187 posted on 08/26/2012 06:19 PM
      @ChrisM_18 Get a grip, JJPs or Judges sign search warrants and they have to reach a standard. Obviously something illegal going on.
  3. RonE_1902 posted on 08/24/2012 06:37 PM
    This once venerable policing agency has seen better days, and needs to be decommissioned.

    They can not seem to find a leader who has either the will or ability to change it's devious culture. This considering there are many members who are outstanding police personnel.

    Of note is the RCMP has become distinct in past years for their conduct and poor and unacceptable management.

    This is another example of how senior management apparently through fear tries to keep members compliant.
  4. MikeyM_2 posted on 08/25/2012 08:34 AM
    Fess uip Bobby what the hell is going on???
  5. KenL_6250 posted on 08/25/2012 12:43 PM
    You begin to wonder who are the good guys in this, if want to blame anyone blame Senator Colin Kenney a Liberal hack, for allowing short visible minorities and women, including religious head dress, that is when the RCMP went to hell, they are not organization they once were! You cannot trust them, all they do is jump to their tazers without thinking, also put the blame on their recruiters who should be fired
  6. JUDITHH_6603 posted on 08/26/2012 06:25 AM
    This incident illustrates the growing power and control measures taken by Harper vis the RCMP. Other measures in 2012 have been the establishment of a new Anti-Terrorist Unit in Alberta, TAVs 18 purchased at 14 million not given to our forces in Afghanistan but the RCMP to combat terrorism should it happen on Cdn. soil (arm forces faced actual/real emenies - fact not maybe), and Toews stating that info from torture is acceptable means of gathering info.

    Now RCMP appear to be following the same path - impinge on ordinary Cdns. should there be anything that RCMP does not approve or are considered negative on their already tarnished reputation - never let the truth out and never you (RCMP) admit to wrong doing.

    This organization is quickly going to hell in a hand basket all by itself and it's actions. No need to worry about sex scandels or "bad apples" they're already at the top.
  7. MikeS_52 posted on 08/26/2012 05:09 PM
    The new Gestapo.
  8. gordb_9187 posted on 08/26/2012 06:17 PM
    Just a bunch of whiner and malcontents using the social media to whine and snivel about how bad off they are. I dont like my boss, somebody made a joke about my hair, I dont want to work nights, its past my meal break, blah blah, blah. Suck it up and do what you get paid quite well for.
    1. ChrisM_18 posted on 08/26/2012 08:54 PM
      @gordb_9187 What ??? Have you been living outside of the country for the last couple of years ? Are you oblivious to the failures of the RCMP management ? Are you in denial about the dissension amongst the ranks of the RCMP ?
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