The Tasering of a Prince George child in the care of the province has led to a number of overlapping investigations.
The Citizen was told today by officials of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) that "ministry is co-operating with [the police] investigation" but "the ministry is also beginning the process of its own internal review into this case."
A Taser was used on the 11-year-old boy after he allegedly stabbed a staff member at the home where he lived.
When police attended, he was reportedly not at the scene of the alleged stabbing and what happened to warrant the use of a conducted energy weapon (CEW) is a question being examined by the West Vancouver Police Department, brought in by the RCMP for an independent view of the matter.
The child's identity has not been disclosed, nor have any details about the residential arrangement other than MCFD acknowledgment that it was not a formal group home but nonetheless a "resource" place under their purview.
"In the case in Prince George, the child's resource was developed specifically for his needs, including two dedicated staff for him at all times," said spokeswoman Corinna Filion.
"It's important to point out that the ministry deals with some of society's most troubled and vulnerable children with complex needs -- a child's placement is based on their individual needs, always putting top priority on their safety and well-being."
These child-in-care arrangements are usually conducted through a contracted company. The operator of this particular child's company has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Filion said MCFD felt a duty to look into matters of safety and protocol when they were presented.
"Any time there is a situation as serious as this involving a child in care the ministry would want to review the circumstances that lead up to this incident," she said.
"Whenever the ministry receives concerns about any children placed in the ministry's resources, ministry staff review the concerns and take any appropriate steps to address them.
"Due to privacy concerns I am unable to comment further."
The boy is believed to be the youngest person to ever be the subject of a Tasering by police.
MORE EYES
B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, stated almost immediately that her office would be looking into the matter, and on Thursday the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP added their eyes to the scrutiny.
"I am initiating this complaint with the full appreciation that the West Vancouver Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation into this incident at the request of the RCMP. It is not my intention to prejudice that investigation," said interim commissioner Ian McPhail.
"However, given the ongoing expressions of public concern as they relate to this matter and to the use of CEWs in respect of children, I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident as well as the handling thereof."
The investigation by the complaints commission will also look at whether the RCMP's policies are adequate in regard to the use of shock weapons.
- With files from Canadian Press
