Leaders in Edmonton’s Black and African communities say they’re frustrated after learning the police officer who shot Mathios Arkangelo has resumed work.
Edmonton police confirmed Wednesday that the unidentified officer has completed a “reintegration” program following the deadly shooting “and has returned to active duty.”
EPS spokeswoman Cheryl Sheppard acknowledged the “tragedy of this incident” but urged family and community members to trust the independent investigation process.
I see no issues with the officer returning to active duty… assuming that duty is behind a desk and totally unrelated to anything that could cause a conflict of interest with this investigation.
Normally I’d say “put them on suspended leave until the investigation is complete” for everyone’s benefit — but I also want to make sure this investigation is thorough, which may take more time than it would take for the officer to go through rehabilitation and return to work.
If it is later found that the officer was negligent in their duties, then they should go to jail for manslaughter, just like anyone else. After all, they are supposedly trained to handle this sort of situation.
If the officer was following protocol at all times, then they need counselling and rehabilitation and the Edmonton Police need their protocols overhauled and some consequences including stricter oversight. If it turns out there were actual threats uttered and an indication of threat of immediate harm to the officer, then that information needs to be made public following the investigation.