Manitoba releases reviews of prosecutor policy, rural police force

Manitoba's government has released the results of two independent investigations launched in the wake ofthe conviction offormer Winnipeg police officer Derek Harveymordenzenk, who killed a woman in a 2005 car crash.

Harveymordenzenk also known as Derek Harvey-Zenk pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in the the death of Crystal Taman, a 40-year-old mother of three whose convertible was hit while stopped at a traffic light in East St. Paul, on the outskirts of Winnipeg.

Last October,Harveymordenzenk was given a conditional sentence of two years less a day, which allows him to remain free in the community.

Manitoba Justice Minister Dave Chomiak ordered the reviews in advance of a public inquiry into theinvestigation andprosecution and the justice services provided to Taman's family.

The first review examined the operations of the East St. Paul police force. Several controversies in the years leading up the crash had raised questions about the department, including allegations of police improprieties surrounding the Harveymordenzenk investigation.

The report on that review, released Thursday, makes little reference to the Harveymordenzenk case, although it does say there has been significant improvement in the force since the time of the crash.

The report, conducted mainly by the RCMP, says there are too few officers in East St. Paul to provide 24-hour patrolling, adding that officers' health and well-being could be at risk because they are patrolling alone at night.

The second report ordered by the justice minister examined the province's system for appointing independent prosecutors, who are used in cases in which the accused could be perceived to receive differenttreatment because of his relationship with Manitoba Justice.

The report on that review, conducted by retired Queen's Bench judge Ruth Krindle, also makes no specific mention of the Harveymordenzenk case.

However, the report indicates discrepancies in the ways independent prosecutors deal with victims of crime.

Krindle recommends the province ensure independent prosecutors understand their legal obligations under Manitoba's Victim's Bill of Rights.

Taman's family accused independent prosecutor in her case of failing to keep them informed before the trial began.

In October, in themidst of a storm of public criticism about the sentence Harveymordenzenk received, the Manitoba government announced that it would conduct an inquiry into Harveymordenzenk's conviction.

The commissioner, former Ontario Superior Court justice Roger Salhany, has announced that hearings to determine who should have legal standing at the public inquiry will begin Feb. 4.