Calgary Police fails one year old girl (Canada)
See below a letter from the Program Coordinator of the Men’s Alternative Safe House in Calgary, Canada, detailing the failings of Police to protect a father and two children from family violence.
MASH*4077
Men’s Alternative Safe House*403-242-4077
147 Pinegrove Close NE, Calgary, AB, CA
June 30, 2012
Chief Rick Hanson
Calgary Police Service
5111 47 St. N.E.
Calgary, Alberta T3J 3R2
RE: Case# 12237973
Dear Chief Hanson,
In MASH*4077 history guests twice relied on the CPS to enforce the law; both times the CPS response has been less than reasonable.
Benoit Simard; Peter Lougheed Hospital referred Mr. Benoit to MASH*4077 [referral letter available]. He self attended the hospital fleeing domestic violence from his female partner.
He applied for and received Alberta Children and Youth Services “Fleeing Domestic Violence Benefit”. He called CPS for assistance and file charges [third party witnesses were present], he asked the officers not to involve his employer as the abuse did not occur at his work. The officers spoke to his employer and his perpetrator; the result was Mr. Benoit was fired from his job and the officers returned to MASH*4077 to further question Mr. Benoit.
The officers, upon returning, enticed Mr. Benoit to the rear of the police car where they cornered him with the aid of the open back door of the car; the officers put on their gloves and were cornering him by closing the distance between them and Mr. Benoit. I could see the fear in Mr. Benoit’s eyes; I interfered by removing Mr. Benoit from the situation. I believe if I had not intervened Mr. Benoit would have panicked, push through to protect himself and the officers would have arrested him for assaulting a police officer; this is known fact as I have been advised of this police tactic by individuals who called the crisis line with this information. They did call the CPS for assistance but were, in fact, arrested, for assaulting an officer; the issue of their abuse was totally ignored.
Case# 12237973; A father fleeing domestic violence, with his 1 year old daughter and 9 year old son, came to MASH*4077 for assistance. A call made to CPS at 1350 hr requested an EPO as directed by the Protection Against Family Violence Act;
Another call to CPS was made, approximately 2300 hr, as no action or phone call explaining the lack of action. At approximately 2330 a call was received from the on duty Sergeant who stated that since the situation was not an emergency and the family is in a safe location, MASH4077, CPS will not do anything. This response contradicts Protection Against Family Violence Act section (2.1)(d); the Act is primarily exists for the 1 year old girl so that she may be able to sleep in her bed in her home.
CPS fails male victims of female perpetrated domestic violence; but time they mostly failed a one year old girl.
As this is the second documented time CPS failed to precisely respond the request for assistance from a male victim of female perpetrated domestic violencem I request;
An explanation to CPS failure to respond to family violence victims as they would if the call was imitated by a woman?
What does the CPS want to say to the one year old girl?
The next time a guest uses the protection of MASH4077 and requires CPS assistance what do we do?? What protocols are we expected to follow if CPS does not follow the designated existing protocols?
Yours truly.
Earl Silverman
Program Coordinator