Police Problems in Canada

Jun 11, 2026, 19:17
CanadaSociety
A2

Police Problems in Canada

加拿大的警察問題

Introduction

There are two legal problems with police in Canada. One is in Edmonton and one is in Montreal.

加拿大有兩個與警察相關的法律問題。一個在埃德蒙頓，另一個在蒙特婁。

Main Body

In Edmonton, the police did something wrong. They wrote a letter to the lawyers. They wanted to change a court decision about a crime. A judge said this was bad. Now, a special team is checking the police.

在埃德蒙頓，警方採取了錯誤行動。他們寫信給律師，希望更改一項關於犯罪的法院判決。法官表示這樣做是不對的。現在，一個特別小組正在對警方進行調查。

In Montreal, a man named Philippe Bertrand was a police officer. He had a problem with the police ethics office. The office took five years to finish a report about him. The report said he did nothing wrong.

在蒙特婁，一名叫 Philippe Bertrand 的男子曾是一名警員。他與警察操守處發生了爭議。該部門花了五年時間才完成一份關於他的報告。報告指出他沒有做錯任何事。

Mr. Bertrand is now angry. He says the long wait hurt his job and his mind. He wants $1.1 million from the ethics office.

Bertrand 先生現在感到憤怒。他表示漫長的等待損害了他的工作和心理健康。他要求操守處賠償 110 萬美元。

Conclusion

The Edmonton police are under a test. A former Montreal officer wants money for a long wait.

埃德蒙頓警方正接受調查。一名蒙特婁前警員則因漫長的等待而要求金錢賠償。

Vocabulary Learning

🕒 Talking about the Past

In this story, we see a pattern: Subject + Past Verb.

Look at how these words changed to show the action is finished:

  • do →\rightarrow did
  • write →\rightarrow wrote
  • say →\rightarrow said
  • take →\rightarrow took

Quick Tip for A2: When you tell a story about yesterday or last year, you cannot use the present.

Wrong: "The office take five years." ❌ Right: "The office took five years." ✅

Vocabulary Spot:

  • Wrong = Not correct.
  • Hurt = Caused pain or damage.
  • Former = Old / Not anymore (e.g., Former officer = He was a police officer before, but not now).

Vocabulary Learning

legal (adj.)
relating to the law
Example:You should get legal help before signing the contract.
decision (n.)
a choice made after thinking
Example:The judge made a decision about the case.
crime (n.)
an action that is against the law
Example:Stealing a car is a serious crime.
ethics (n.)
rules about what is right and wrong
Example:The company has a strict code of ethics.
report (n.)
a document that gives information about something
Example:I read the police report about the accident.
former (adj.)
someone who had a job or role in the past
Example:Mr. Smith is a former teacher.
B2

Investigation into Edmonton Police Conduct and Lawsuit Against Montreal Police Ethics Official

調查埃德蒙頓警察行為以及對蒙特利爾警方倫理官員的訴訟

Introduction

Recent legal events in Canada include an investigation into the Edmonton Police Service for interfering with court decisions and a civil lawsuit against a police ethics official in Montreal.

加拿大近期的法律事件包括調查埃德蒙頓警察局干擾法院決定，以及對蒙特利爾一名警察倫理官員提起民事訴訟。

Main Body

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has started an investigation into the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) following claims of professional misconduct. The investigation focuses on a letter sent by EPS leaders to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in September 2025. In this letter, the EPS disagreed with the decision to accept a manslaughter plea from Ashley Rattlesnake, who was originally charged with first-degree murder for the death of eight-year-old Nina Napope. The EPS argued that the plea was unfair and mentioned evidence of child abuse. Furthermore, they threatened to release case details to the public if the Crown did not change its decision.

亞伯達省嚴重事故反應小組 (ASIRT) 在收到專業失職指控後，已對埃德蒙頓警察局 (EPS) 展開調查。此次調查聚焦於 EPS 領導層於 2025 年 9 月寄給亞伯達省檢察署的一封信函。在信中，EPS 不同意接納 Ashley Rattlesnake 承認過失殺死 8 歲女孩 Nina Napope 的認罪協議，而該被告最初被指控為一級謀殺。EPS 主張該認罪協議不公平，並提到有虐待兒童的證據。此外，他們威脅若檢察官不改變決定，將向大眾公開案件詳情。

Justice Jody Fraser described this action as an attempt to undermine the legal process and a violation of the necessary separation between police and prosecutors. Consequently, the court used this behavior as a reason to reduce the defendant's sentence by one year. The Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association even described these police tactics as extortion. Following a request from Minister Mike Ellis, ASIRT is now treating this as a serious complaint. While the EPS leadership has acknowledged the probe, ASIRT stated that the investigation is open and has no fixed conclusion.

法官 Jody Fraser 將此舉描述為企圖破壞法律程序，且違反了警方與檢察官之間必要的獨立分工。因此，法院將此行為作為將被告刑期減輕一年的理由。刑事審訊律師協會甚至將這些警方策略形容為勒索。在部長 Mike Ellis 的要求下，ASIRT 目前將此視為嚴重投訴。儘管 EPS 領導層已承認該項調查，但 ASIRT 表示調查仍在進行中，尚未得出最終結論。

Meanwhile, in Quebec, a former Montreal police officer named Philippe Bertrand has started a lawsuit seeking $1.1 million in damages from the police ethics commissioner. This legal action is due to a five-year delay in deciding a complaint about the 2018 shooting of Nicholas Gibbs. Although both an independent watchdog and the ethics commissioner eventually found that Bertrand did nothing wrong, he claims that the long delay led to the loss of his job and psychological problems. The final result of the case will depend on the legal protections given to the commissioner under the Quebec Police Act.

同時，在魁北克，一名叫 Philippe Bertrand 的前蒙特利爾警員已提起訴訟，要求警察倫理專員賠償 110 萬加元的損害賠償。此次法律行動是因為一份關於 2018 年 Nicholas Gibbs 槍擊案的投訴，在做出決定前延遲了五年。雖然獨立監察機構和倫理專員最終認定 Bertrand 並無過錯，但他聲稱長時間的延遲導致他失去工作並產生心理問題。本案的最終結果將取決於《魁北克警察法》賦予專員的法律保護。

Conclusion

The Edmonton Police Service is currently under review for its actions toward the Crown, while a former Montreal officer is seeking payment for administrative delays.

埃德蒙頓警察局目前因其對檢察方的行為接受審查，而一名前蒙特利爾警員則在尋求行政延遲的賠償。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Connector' Jump

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using simple sentences (like 'The police did this. Then this happened.') and start using Logical Bridges.

Look at how the text connects complex ideas. If you use these three 'bridges', you stop sounding like a beginner and start sounding like a professional.

🌉 Bridge 1: The Result-Maker (Consequently)

  • A2 Style: The police were bad. The judge reduced the sentence.
  • B2 Style: The police interfered with the process; consequently, the court reduced the defendant's sentence.
  • Coach's Tip: Use Consequently when one action directly causes a specific result. It is the sophisticated cousin of 'so'.

🌉 Bridge 2: The Addition-Plus (Furthermore)

  • A2 Style: They said the plea was unfair. They also said they would tell the public.
  • B2 Style: The EPS argued the plea was unfair; furthermore, they threatened to release case details.
  • Coach's Tip: Use Furthermore when you aren't just adding a fact, but adding a stronger or more important point to your argument.

🌉 Bridge 3: The Contrast-Switch (While)

  • A2 Style: The leaders know about the probe. ASIRT says it is still open.
  • B2 Style: While the EPS leadership has acknowledged the probe, ASIRT stated the investigation is open.
  • Coach's Tip: Instead of putting But in the middle of two sentences, start your sentence with While. This allows you to balance two different facts in one single, elegant thought.

🚀 B2 Power-Move Summary:

  • So →\rightarrow Consequently
  • And/Also →\rightarrow Furthermore
  • But →\rightarrow While... [main clause]

Vocabulary Learning

misconduct (n.)
Unacceptable or improper behavior, especially by a professional person
Example:The officer was suspended from duty following allegations of professional misconduct.
undermine (v.)
To weaken or damage something, especially a system, process, or authority, gradually
Example:Constant criticism from the manager can undermine the confidence of the employees.
violation (n.)
An action that breaks a law, agreement, or a set of rules
Example:Parking in front of a fire hydrant is a clear violation of city traffic laws.
extortion (n.)
The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats
Example:The gang was arrested for extortion after threatening to leak the businessman's private data.
acknowledged (v.)
Accepted or admitted the existence or truth of something
Example:The company acknowledged that there was a mistake in the billing process.
probe (n.)
A thorough investigation into a crime or a complex situation
Example:The government has launched a probe into the cause of the financial crisis.
damages (n.)
A sum of money claimed or awarded in a lawsuit to compensate for a loss or injury
Example:The plaintiff is seeking substantial damages for the emotional distress caused by the accident.
C2

Investigation into Edmonton Police Service Conduct and Civil Litigation Regarding Montreal Police Ethics Commissioner

關於埃德蒙頓警察局行為調查以及蒙特婁警察倫理專員的民事訴訟

Introduction

Recent legal developments in Canada involve an investigation into the Edmonton Police Service's interference in prosecutorial decisions and a civil lawsuit against a Montreal police ethics official.

加拿大近期的法律進展涉及一項對埃德蒙頓警察局干預起訴決定之調查，以及一宗針對蒙特婁警察倫理官員的民事訴訟。

Main Body

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has commenced an investigation into the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) following allegations of institutional misconduct. The inquiry centers on a communication dispatched by EPS leadership to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in September 2025. In said correspondence, the EPS challenged the Crown's decision to accept a manslaughter plea from Ashley Rattlesnake, who was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of eight-year-old Nina Napope. The EPS asserted that the plea constituted a miscarriage of justice, citing evidence of chronic child abuse. Furthermore, the correspondence contained a conditional threat to release case details to the public should the Crown maintain its position.

亞伯達省嚴重事件反應小組（ASIRT）在收到關於制度性不當行為的指控後，已開始調查埃德蒙頓警察局（EPS）。此次調查的核心在於 EPS 領導層於 2025 年 9 月發送給亞伯達省皇家檢察署的一份通訊。在該信函中，EPS 對檢察官決定接受 Ashley Rattlesnake 承認過失致死罪的決定提出質疑，而 Ashley 原本被指控在 8 歲女童 Nina Napope 死亡案中犯一級謀殺罪。EPS 主張該認罪協議構成了司法不公，並引用了長期虐待兒童的證據。此外，該通訊還包含一個條件式威脅，稱若檢察方維持原決定，EPS 將向公眾公布案件詳情。

This intervention was characterized by Justice Jody Fraser as an attempt to subvert the judicial process and a violation of the requisite separation between investigative and prosecutorial bodies. Consequently, the court identified this conduct as a mitigating factor, reducing the defendant's sentence by one year. The Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association further categorized the police tactics as extortion. Following a referral by Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis, ASIRT is now examining the matter as a Level 1 complaint. The EPS governance body has acknowledged the probe, while ASIRT maintains that the investigation is devoid of predetermined conclusions.

法官 Jody Fraser 將此干預行為描述為企圖顛覆司法程序，且違反了調查機關與起訴機關之間必要的權力分立。因此，法院將此行為認定為減輕因素，將被告的刑期減少一年。刑事審判律師協會更將警方的手段歸類為敲詐。在公共安全及緊急服務部長 Mike Ellis 的轉介後，ASIRT 目前將此案視為一級投訴進行審查。EPS 的治理機構已承認該調查，而 ASIRT 則堅持調查過程不設預定結論。

Parallelly, in Quebec, a former Montreal police officer, Philippe Bertrand, has initiated a civil suit seeking $1.1 million in damages from the police ethics commissioner. The litigation stems from a five-year administrative delay in adjudicating a complaint regarding the 2018 shooting of Nicholas Gibbs. Although both an independent watchdog and the ethics commissioner eventually cleared Bertrand of wrongdoing, the plaintiff alleges that the protracted timeline resulted in professional termination and psychological impairment. The legal outcome remains contingent upon the statutory protections afforded to the commissioner under the Quebec Police Act.

與此同時，在魁北克，前蒙特婁警員 Philippe Bertrand 發起民事訴訟，向警察倫理專員尋求 110 萬美元的損害賠償。該訴訟源於在審理有關 2018 年 Nicholas Gibbs 槍擊案的投訴時，行政程序延遲了五年。儘管獨立監察機構與倫理專員最終均判定 Bertrand 並無違規，但原告指稱過長的處理時間導致其被解僱並造成心理受損。法律結果將取決於《魁北克警察法》賦予專員的法定保護。

Conclusion

The Edmonton Police Service remains under regulatory scrutiny for its interactions with the Crown, while a former Montreal officer seeks damages for administrative delays.

埃德蒙頓警察局因其與起訴機關的互動而持續接受監管審查，而一名原蒙特婁警員則針對行政延遲尋求賠償。

Vocabulary Learning

⚖️ The Architecture of Institutional Formalism

To ascend from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond meaning and master register. The provided text is a masterclass in Legalistic Nominalization—the process of turning complex actions into static nouns to create an aura of objectivity, authority, and distance.

🔍 The 'De-personalization' Pivot

Observe how the text avoids simple subject-verb-object constructions in favor of high-density noun phrases. This is the hallmark of C2 academic and professional writing.

  • B2 Approach: The police tried to change the court's decision.
  • C2 Implementation: "...an attempt to subvert the judicial process"

By transforming the action ("subvert") into a noun phrase ("an attempt to subvert"), the writer shifts the focus from the actor to the concept. This allows for the insertion of precise modifiers like "institutional misconduct" and "administrative delay."

🛠️ Precision Lexis: The 'Legalistic' Nuance

At C2, you are expected to distinguish between synonyms based on their legal or formal weight. Note these specific transitions in the text:

  1. Correspondence→Dispatch\text{Correspondence} \rightarrow \text{Dispatch}: Not just a letter, but a formal transmission of information.
  2. Protracted→Administrative Delay\text{Protracted} \rightarrow \text{Administrative Delay}: While "long" describes time, "protracted" implies an unnecessary or agonizing extension, and "administrative delay" categorizes that time as a failure of bureaucracy.
  3. Contingent upon→Depends on\text{Contingent upon} \rightarrow \text{Depends on}: "Contingent" suggests a legal condition or a prerequisite that must be met for a specific outcome to occur.

🎓 Stylistic Synthesis: The Use of Archaic Deictics

One striking C2 marker in the text is the use of "said correspondence."

In standard English, we use "the correspondence." In legal/formal register, "said" functions as a demonstrative adjective (meaning "the aforementioned"). Using this correctly signals to a reader that the writer is operating within a specialized, high-level professional discourse.

Strategic Application for the Student: To replicate this, avoid starting sentences with "He did..." or "They said..." Instead, frame the sentence around the event or the entity:

  • Instead of: "The lawyer waited a long time for the answer."
  • Try: "The protracted nature of the response period resulted in a procedural impasse."

Vocabulary Learning

subvert (v.)
To undermine the power and authority of an established system or institution.
Example:The plot was designed to subvert the democratic process through systemic disinformation.
miscarriage of justice (n.)
A failure of a court or judicial system to attain the correct legal outcome, often resulting in the conviction of an innocent person or the release of a guilty one.
Example:The discovery of new DNA evidence proved that the original verdict was a gross miscarriage of justice.
requisite (adj.)
Made, given, or required as a necessary condition.
Example:She possessed the requisite skills and experience to lead the complex international project.
mitigating (adj.)
Making a bad situation less severe, serious, or painful; often used in law to describe factors that reduce the culpability of a defendant.
Example:The judge considered the defendant's lack of prior criminal history as a mitigating factor during sentencing.
adjudicating (v.)
Making a formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter.
Example:The tribunal spent three months adjudicating the dispute between the two corporate entities.
protracted (adj.)
Lasting for a long time; prolonged, often excessively so.
Example:The two nations finally reached a peace agreement after years of protracted negotiations.
contingent (adj.)
Subject to chance; dependent on one circumstance or event occurring for another to happen.
Example:The success of the merger is contingent upon the approval of the regulatory commission.
devoid (adj.)
Entirely lacking or free from; empty of.
Example:The report was criticized for being devoid of any empirical evidence to support its claims.
Practice All words in a crossword→