“These actions, if proven true, are totally unacceptable and warrant swift and strong actions on behalf of the Superintendent and the Solicitor General of Ontario. This is a form of institutionalized racism that has no place in the 21st century. I will be contacting the Superintendent of the OPP, Rick Kotwa, to ask for a full report on these allegations”, stated National Chief Matthew Coon Come.

These news reports also make reference to similar actions by Ministry of Natural Resources, which culminated with suspensions and dismissal of staff responsible for these actions. Relations between the OPP and First Nations in Ontario have been seriously affected by the shooting death of an unarmed First Nations citizen, Dudley George, at Ipperwash in September 1995.

“If these allegations are true, then the force will have no choice but to submit to a full and extensive investigation of its personnel and policies. If such attitudes are entrenched within the OPP, then they have a serious and daily impact on the attitude the members display to our citizens. All OPP staff will have to understand that this cannot be condoned and will result in severe disciplinary action. Only then will the force be able to weed out the undesirables from within its ranks and offer all citizens of Ontario with a policing body that acts with due regard and respect for the law and treats all citizens fairly without allowing racism to affect their judgement and actions”, concluded National Chief Matthew Coon Come.