CAP Statement on the Pacey Dumas Lawsuit

November 4, 2021 (OTTAWA)—The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples released the following statement on the lawsuit against Edmonton Police:

“We are heartbroken by the situation of Pacey Dumas and his family, who still continue to suffer from the aftermath of a violent encounter with Edmonton Police almost a year ago. Pacey was a boy, not an adult and he will endure this trauma for the rest of his life. How will he feel personal security when seeing a police office out in public every again?

Mr. Dumas was violently assaulted by Const. Ben Todd when the police responded to a disturbance complaint in an Edmonton neighbourhood in December 2020. Pacey was taken outside of his home, along with his brother, did not resist the policy, despite there being no warrant and Pacey not being a person of interest in the situation. He was told to lay on the ground with his hands visible, and despite cooperating fully, Const. Ben Todd kicked him in the head, resulting in a serious brain injury and the need for emergency surgery.

The fact that this police officer is still on active duty, and has not been terminated for his violent actions is abhorrent. Pacey continues to live with the physical and emotional trauma from this incident, while this police officer carries on with this normal life. This is yet another indication of the discrimination and injustice that Indigenous Peoples in Canada face at the hands of the justice system.

There was no justification for the actions of Const. Todd and CAP is calling on his immediate dismissal and to expedite the investigation into this case. We are urging Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu, the Alberta Police Commission, and Chief of Police Dale McFee to intervene and act on this racist aggravated assault.”

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The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is the national voice representing the interests of Métis, status and non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve. Today, over 70% of Indigenous people live off-reserve.

For media interviews please contact:

Jessica Dawson, CAP Executive Manager and Communications

Mobile Phone 613-806-8669

Email: J.Dawson@abo-peoples.org

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