RCMP release internal review into their response to James Smith Cree Nation stabbings
CBC
An internal review has found there was no "common underlying circumstance" that significantly impacted the RCMP's ability to respond to the James Smith Cree Nation stabbing massacre.
The 110-page document examines the RCMP's response to an incident where 11 people were killed and 17 were injured in multiple locations spread throughout James Smith Cree Nation and the community of Weldon, Sask., in September 2022.
The report delves into the initial call for service, command structures, public alerts and response to victims.
While the review of the RCMP's approach is mostly positive, it does make 36 recommendations that could enhance responses to "future, similar situations."
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore and other high-ranking officers in the Saskatchewan RCMP are scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday to address the report and take questions from the media.
The review contains a timeline that was previously released by the RCMP and outlined during a pair of inquests earlier this year.
One inquest examined the circumstances of the victims' deaths at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, and how similar tragedies could be prevented in the future.
The other inquest looked into the in-custody death of Myles Sanderson, the man who perpetrated the stabbing rampage.
Those inquests resulted in several recommendations for the RCMP, whose written responses have been posted online.
Blackmore told CBC late in 2023 that the review was mostly completed at that time. As a result, the review does not incorporate details heard during the pair of coroner's inquests.
The report released on Thursday highlights how the Mounties' initial response was found to be appropriate.
Two police officers, Const. Tanner Maynard and Const. Dave Miller, were dispatched after the initial 911 call was received.
Miller, who was on call, took nine minutes to arrive at the Melfort detachment and then leave with Maynard in the same police vehicle. The review found this was the only delay in response and that it was reasonable.
At that point, the only information the pair had was that there had been a single stabbing, with the suspects having departed from the scene. However, the nature of the call required Maynard to have backup with him.