Police commissioner’s history missed

etownboarder · 29-01-2011, 01:21 PM

Police commissioner’s history missed
Diotte urges greater scrutiny of candidates after volunteer’s conviction, pardon surface
BY BRENT WITTMEIER AND ELISE STOLTE, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM JANUARY 29, 2011 9:37 AM

EDMONTON - When city council approved two new police commissioners last fall, it appears little more than cursory background checks were done, leaving councillors unaware of one candidate’s high-profile conviction for refusing a breathalyzer in New Brunswick.

City staff do not call candidates’ former employers, so councillors were also not aware of financial problems at Whitefish Lake First Nation in Atikameg, where new commissioner Keli Tamaklo served as chief financial officer for more than 12 years before the band went into court-ordered receivership.

Edmonton’s police commission oversees a $300-million budget, monitors discipline within the force, and will play a pivotal role in selecting Mike Boyd’s replacement as the city’s next police chief.

The New Brunswick case splashed Tamaklo’s name across headlines there when he raised concerns over racial profiling and excessive use of force. In Atikameg, 300 kilometres north of Edmonton, Tamaklo’s name still evokes a strong reaction.

“Police commissioner? Holy. I guess people don’t check on references anymore,” said one former band councillor. “He was a good man at the start and I hate his guts right now.”

Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...#ixzz1CSR9JIwb

ajs · 29-01-2011, 02:01 PM

I read this today. Seems like a bit of a non-story if you ask me. If any of this was known beforehand would it have prevented this man from participating on the police commission? Councillor Diotte should put away his whiny, self-righteous soap box. I've heard enough out of him in the last couple of months.

etownboarder · 29-01-2011, 02:15 PM

All they would've had to do was google the guys name.

etownboarder · 29-01-2011, 02:18 PM

Controversy follows commissioner
After earlier problems with police, Keli Tamaklo has learned new respect for members of force
BY ELISE STOLTE AND BRENT WITTMEIER, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM JANUARY 29, 2011

EDMONTON - During a well-publicized dispute with Fredericton police in the mid-1990s, Keli Tamaklo made allegations about racial profiling and excessive use of force.

Recently appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission, Tamaklo now says his three weeks as a member have already taught him to have more empathy for officers.

“They have a very hard job to do to keep this city safe and I always go to bed with prayers for each member of the police force and always wish them well,” he said this week.

Tamaklo, 48, was twice charged with refusing a breathalyzer test in Fredericton in 1994. In the first case, in which he was found not guilty, he accused police of excessive use of force. Months later, Tamaklo was charged again, convicted and fined $825, and prohibited from driving for six months. He has since received a pardon.

People who know Tamaklo well seem to love him or hate him.

Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/...#ixzz1CSfU40rx

etownboarder · 29-01-2011, 02:22 PM

Read this last article... there's something not quite right about this man.

jagators63 · 30-01-2011, 12:33 AM

if he is pardoned, then there is no need to question his past. just forget the past and move on , that's it !!

look at God, God does not remember a person did sin against God and he always forgive the person who asked God for forgiveness.

Drumbones · 30-01-2011, 11:48 AM

HaHa Jag, thats a funny one. I see all the ads, even in my local newspaper. Get a pardon for $50. The pardon means nothing and is not recognized internationally, try to cross the US border on one. I think the city has definitely dropped the ball here big time. I am sure there are some honorable citizens around that would like and could do the job, someone local that knows the affairs of Edmonton. Send these bums packing. Just my opinion. If I am wrong, God forgive me.

Gord Lacey · 30-01-2011, 12:03 PM

So if someone is pardoned, then they're A-OK? So you'd have no problem having small kids around Graham James?

Just because someone receives a pardon, doesn't mean there aren't still underlying issues with the person. Of course each situation is different.

jagators63 · 30-01-2011, 12:19 PM

gov't is wrong to remove pardon from graham james because when I ask God for forgivness and God does forgive and does not remember my past at all so gov't should do the same thing

no matter how big or small stupid action upon yourself , you or anyone deserve forgiveness

etownboarder · 30-01-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagators63

no matter how big or small stupid action upon yourself , you or anyone deserve forgiveness

Forgiveness is a little different from becoming the new Police Commissioner.

29-01-2011, 01:21 PM	#1
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	Police commissioner’s history missed Police commissioner’s history missed Diotte urges greater scrutiny of candidates after volunteer’s conviction, pardon surface BY BRENT WITTMEIER AND ELISE STOLTE, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM JANUARY 29, 2011 9:37 AM EDMONTON - When city council approved two new police commissioners last fall, it appears little more than cursory background checks were done, leaving councillors unaware of one candidate’s high-profile conviction for refusing a breathalyzer in New Brunswick. City staff do not call candidates’ former employers, so councillors were also not aware of financial problems at Whitefish Lake First Nation in Atikameg, where new commissioner Keli Tamaklo served as chief financial officer for more than 12 years before the band went into court-ordered receivership. Edmonton’s police commission oversees a $300-million budget, monitors discipline within the force, and will play a pivotal role in selecting Mike Boyd’s replacement as the city’s next police chief. The New Brunswick case splashed Tamaklo’s name across headlines there when he raised concerns over racial profiling and excessive use of force. In Atikameg, 300 kilometres north of Edmonton, Tamaklo’s name still evokes a strong reaction. “Police commissioner? Holy. I guess people don’t check on references anymore,” said one former band councillor. “He was a good man at the start and I hate his guts right now.” Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...#ixzz1CSR9JIwb

29-01-2011, 02:18 PM	#4
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	Controversy follows commissioner Controversy follows commissioner After earlier problems with police, Keli Tamaklo has learned new respect for members of force BY ELISE STOLTE AND BRENT WITTMEIER, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM JANUARY 29, 2011 EDMONTON - During a well-publicized dispute with Fredericton police in the mid-1990s, Keli Tamaklo made allegations about racial profiling and excessive use of force. Recently appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission, Tamaklo now says his three weeks as a member have already taught him to have more empathy for officers. “They have a very hard job to do to keep this city safe and I always go to bed with prayers for each member of the police force and always wish them well,” he said this week. Tamaklo, 48, was twice charged with refusing a breathalyzer test in Fredericton in 1994. In the first case, in which he was found not guilty, he accused police of excessive use of force. Months later, Tamaklo was charged again, convicted and fined $825, and prohibited from driving for six months. He has since received a pardon. People who know Tamaklo well seem to love him or hate him. Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/...#ixzz1CSfU40rx

30-01-2011, 12:33 AM	#6
jagators63 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton (belevedre)	if he is pardoned, then there is no need to question his past. just forget the past and move on , that's it !! look at God, God does not remember a person did sin against God and he always forgive the person who asked God for forgiveness. __________________ Edmonton Rocks Rocks Rocks Last edited by jagators63; 30-01-2011 at 12:39 AM..

30-01-2011, 12:19 PM	#9
jagators63 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton (belevedre)	gov't is wrong to remove pardon from graham james because when I ask God for forgivness and God does forgive and does not remember my past at all so gov't should do the same thing no matter how big or small stupid action upon yourself , you or anyone deserve forgiveness __________________ Edmonton Rocks Rocks Rocks Last edited by jagators63; 30-01-2011 at 12:27 PM..

29-01-2011, 02:01 PM	#2
ajs Addicted to C2E Join Date: Nov 2009	I read this today. Seems like a bit of a non-story if you ask me. If any of this was known beforehand would it have prevented this man from participating on the police commission? Councillor Diotte should put away his whiny, self-righteous soap box. I've heard enough out of him in the last couple of months.

29-01-2011, 02:15 PM	#3
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	All they would've had to do was google the guys name.

29-01-2011, 02:22 PM	#5
etownboarder Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Old Strathcona	Read this last article... there's something not quite right about this man.

30-01-2011, 11:48 AM	#7
Drumbones Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Living near Wetaskiwin	HaHa Jag, thats a funny one. I see all the ads, even in my local newspaper. Get a pardon for $50. The pardon means nothing and is not recognized internationally, try to cross the US border on one. I think the city has definitely dropped the ball here big time. I am sure there are some honorable citizens around that would like and could do the job, someone local that knows the affairs of Edmonton. Send these bums packing. Just my opinion. If I am wrong, God forgive me.

30-01-2011, 12:03 PM	#8
Gord Lacey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Strathcona - Mill Creek	So if someone is pardoned, then they're A-OK? So you'd have no problem having small kids around Graham James? Just because someone receives a pardon, doesn't mean there aren't still underlying issues with the person. Of course each situation is different.