A senior mountie in charge of the investigation into the Nova Scotia mass shooting continued his testimony at the public inquiry on Tuesday.
RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell faced cross-examination by the lawyers representing the 22 victims’ families. Many questions focused on the police response in Portapique on April 18th, 2020.
Lawyer Robert Pineo read a transcript of the 911 call given by one of the children whose parents had been killed when the 13-hour rampage began. The discussion involved the operator at the Operations Communications Centre (OCC) in Bible Hill and the child identified as A.D.:
“AD: It’s a police car. It’s not Gabriel … Guys, it’s not Gabriel. Oh, by the way, he’s probably going to blend in with the cops because he has a cop car.
OCC: Okay.
AD: I just don’t know what my parents did…
OCC: How do you guys know it’s a cop car? Did it have lights and stuff on it?
AD: Yes, it did. No, it looks just like that. Yeah, and it had the cop symbol on the side. Like, he owns a cop car.”
Pineo said the child told police the perpetrator’s mock cruiser would blend in, with Campbell agreeing it was a very descriptive account. None of the children were interviewed by investigators in any formal way.
Meantime, Lawyer Thomas MacDonald questioned Campbell about the Alert Ready system. Campbell reported there is now a clear protocol in place for its use, which wasn’t the case two years ago.
Campbell also told MacDonald he wished communication with the public regarding details on the gunman, who was disguised as a police officer driving a mock cruiser, was better at the time. In hindsight, he would have liked to have seen details about the cruiser released earlier.
He confirmed the commander on the scene also had the authority to order when and what information could be made public.
The senior official also said it would be a great benefit to the police force to have a plane with infrared capability available 24/7.
“I think there is an immense amount of value in Nova Scotia having that capability,” Campbell said. “I do believe that there have been efforts made by the province as well as the RCMP in order to able to increase that capability. I think it’s important to also signal that the department of justice in Nova Scotia .. have been very engaged in those discussions.”
There were concerns amongst police that the search for an active shooter in the dark and unfamiliar terrain of Portapique could result in a gun accidentally getting turned on an officer.
Lisa Banfield completes restorative justice program
Meantime, the common-law partner of the perpetrator has completed the restorative justice program.
Lisa Banfield testifies at Portapique Inquiry. July 15, 2022
That means the criminal charge against Lisa Banfield will be dropped.
She was facing a charge for unlawfully providing her common-law spouse with ammunition before the mass shooting.
The public inquiry heard on Tuesday Banfield had successfully completed the restorative justice process. The Crown had agreed to withdraw the charge upon its completion.
Banfield’s brother and brother-in-law, who were also charged with supplying ammo, underwent restorative justice as well.
The restorative justice program allows people accused of crime and victims to work together towards a resolution without a criminal record.
The public inquiry resumes on Wednesday. RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather will testify.
