Police Accountability Files – Episode 19: Wellness ChecksGone Wrong

Whensomeone is experiencing a mental health crisis, a wellness check issupposed to protect lives—not put them at risk. But what happenswhen a call for help ends in violence, serious injury, or death?

In Episode19 of Police Accountability Files, hosted by Special Ed, weexamine troubling Canadian cases involving police wellness checks,including the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi, and theassault of nursing student Mona Wang by an RCMP officer in Kelowna,British Columbia.

We exploreconcerns raised by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission forthe RCMP about officers using a “command and control” approachwhen dealing with people in crisis. We also examine policede-escalation, use-of-force policies, accountability, andrecommendations for alternatives that put mental health professionalsat the forefront when police intervention is not necessary.

Whensomeone calls for help, should the first response be about enforcingcompliance—or protecting that person’s well-being?

JoinSpecial Ed for a hard-hitting look at the cases, the oversightfindings, and the difficult questions Canada must confront aboutpolicing and mental health.

PoliceAccountability Files — examining the incidents, the evidence,and the questions that demand answers.

Episode 18 Description — Officers Leaving Jobs While UnderInvestigation

In Episode 18 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines what happens whenpolice officers resign or retire while facing a misconductinvestigation.

The episode focuses on reporting that88 officers with the Edmonton Police Service and CalgaryPolice Service left their positions while under investigation between2012 and 2023. It explores what that number does—and doesnot—tell us, the difference between an allegation and a finding ofmisconduct, and the challenges that can arise when an officer leavesbefore a disciplinary process is completed.

The episode also looks at Alberta'spolice oversight system, the role of independent investigations,officers' procedural rights, complainants' rights, and the ongoingquestion of whether an investigation should continue even after anofficer leaves the job.

When an officer leaves, doesaccountability leave with them?

Real incidents. Realquestions. Real accountability.

Episode 17 Description — Police Officers: Not in the Top 10Most Dangerous Jobs in Canada

In Episode 17 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the claim thatpolice officers have one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada.

This episode focuses specifically onCanadian data, looking at what Statistics Canadareports about Canada's police workforce and examining howoccupational danger should be measured. In 2023, Canada had 71,472police officers, including 7,977 in Alberta,according to Statistics Canada.

The episode also explores animportant question: Do Canadian statistics actually supportthe claim that policing is among Canada's ten most dangerousoccupations? Rather than relying on slogans or assumptions,the episode looks at fatal workplace injuries, occupational risk,police-related dangers, and the limitations of comparing differentoccupations.

Canadian data. Realquestions. Police accountability.