FSIN, lawyer call for coroner’s inquest, firings of Prince Albert police officers

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is calling for a coroner’s inquest, for two Prince Albert police officers to be fired, and for a global investigation of that police service.

The demand comes one day after a Public Complaints Commission report into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-month-old Tanner Brass was released.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference Friday, lawyer Eleanore Sunchild — who represents Brass’s mother, Kyla Frenchman — said what happened to Brass and Frenchman was “a travesty.” Frenchman sat next to Sunchild, but did not speak to media.

“It is yet another miscarriage of justice in this province and in this province. Kyla was the victim of domestic violence and her baby Tanner was left with her partner … That night, she was scared for her life,” said Sunchild. “The Prince Albert police had a duty to protect Kyla and her child, Tanner.”

The Public Complaints Commission report indicates the two officers who responded to Frenchman’s initial 911 call should have entered the home to check on Brass, but mistakenly believed they needed either a warrant or permission to enter.

The report also found the officers “failed to follow the PAPS intimate partner violence policy. The PAPS IPV policy requires PAPS members attending an IPV call to ensure the immediate safety of the complainant and any children who may be present.”

The report found the circumstances on the morning of Feb, 10, 2022 amounted to a “tragic and potentially avoidable incident.”

In a statement, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said the situation was tragic.

“The details now released highlight the need for immediate change within the Prince Albert Police Service.” it read.

Prince Albert police chief Jonathan Bergen has since announced his retirement effective May 31. The two officers involved were suspended with pay last year. Tanner’s father, 25-year-old Kaij Brass, has been charged with second-degree murder. His trial is scheduled for early 2024.

FSIN Vice Chief Dutch Lerat said he believed there was more information about what happened on Feb. 10, 2022 that had not been released. He contradicted some of the findings in the report that indicated Frenchman went willingly with officers to stay in the police detention centre for several hours because there was no room for her at other shelters in the city.

“Rather than listen to Kyla and support her story, they immediately stereotyped her … and then proceeded to lock her up and incarcerate her,” he said.

“There are definitely two different versions here,” added Sunchild, “Kyla’s and that of the report.”

Both Lerat and Sunchild said they did not accept the Public Complaints Commission report’s findings.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said it would have taken moments for the officers to check on the child.

“We have the justice system that has failed First Nations people. Had that been a white mother and a white baby in that apartment, they would have immediately went in and saved that baby,” he said.

“This ain’t over by a long shot,” he added.

Sunchild said Frenchman was exploring her legal options, and a civil suit would likely be filed against the Prince Albert Police Service.