No answers on why N.W.T. RCMP investigated themselves

Northwest Territories RCMP won't say why they didn't ask a third party to investigate a complaint against one of theirofficers.

Margo Edjericon alleges two police officers forced their way into her house and elbowed her 71-year-old mother, Loretta, in the face last month in her home in Fort Resolution, N.W.T.

RCMP from GDivision, led by a staff sergeant in Yellowknife, investigated the incident.

Const.Elenore Sturko says once the investigation was complete, they determined that police in Medicine Hat, Alta., should review the file.

I'm sure they will be able to tell as investigators whether the investigation was thorough and whether it's impartial, Sturko said.

Sturko was unable to specify why police opted for an internal investigation.

In the past, the RCMP has said it would not investigate itself in cases involving death or serious injury. Wade Blake, a former Superintendent of Northwest Territories G-Division, said thats because of the perception that police cannot effectively investigate police.

Sturko also wouldnt comment on whether the officers involved in the review knew the officer in Fort Resolution, but she did saymembers often cross paths in the territory.

Often members have met each other in different types of tasks we have, whetherits picking up prisoners or speaking on the phone to co-ordinate different types of things that we do as a part of our duty.

Margo Edjericon says she wishes the investigation had been conducted by a third party from the start.

Because for me, I just don't trust them."

Sturko says once the results of the investigation are made public, the RCMP might be able to answer why a review was called for.