Pubdate: Fri, 05 Aug 2011
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2011 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Conal Pierse, Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON POLICE ORDERED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINT INVOLVING MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Alberta's law enforcement watchdog has ordered Edmonton police to
again investigate a 2009 complaint, where a man was mistaken for a
drug dealer and pulled from a car at gunpoint.

The Law Enforcement Review Board said this week that former acting
police chief David Korol did not have reasonable grounds to dismiss
the complaint based on the circumstances and the quality of initial
investigation.

The written decision says members of the police department's gang and
drug section were following a suspected drug dealer driving a white
Lexus in Riverbend in April 2009. Police lost sight of the vehicle at
Riverbend Square and later mistook a white Mazda for the suspect's
car.

The Mazda belonged to Roy Persaud, who was sitting in the car talking
with Salimah Jetha after finishing work. Jetha left for her own
vehicle, realized she had forgotten a magazine in Persaud's car, and
drove over to retrieve it. Persaud handed her the magazine out the
window. Police mistook the exchange for a drug deal, the decision said.

An RCMP officer informed Edmonton police, prompting the drug and
tactical teams to move in. Persaud received minor injuries and his car
was damaged. The officers soon realized their mistake, apologized to
Persaud, offering to pay for the damage to his vehicle and drive it
home for him.

Persaud and Jetha filed complaints. Following an investigation, police
issued a disposition letter that said the arrest was an error and the
officers in question didn't meet the required threshold to have the
incident reviewed by Alberta Justice.

In the decision, the board said that while the actions of police
involved in such a mistaken "hot" takedown could be excused if they
reasonably believed they had legitimate suspects, this was not the
case.

The board sent the matter to police Chief Rod Knecht.

Police spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu said Knecht will review the
decision. 
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