2 investigations ordered following alleged police abuse of Victoria teen

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 | 10:26 PM PT

CBC News

B.C.'s police complaint commissioner has ordered an external investigation into the alleged abuse of a teenager in police custody even though the Victoria police have said they plan to conduct an internal investigation.

Victoria police surveillance tape shows Willow Kinloch was held down by her legs, body and head for several minutes while she was being handcuffed.
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Commissioner Dirk Ryneveld said he was disturbed when he saw the videotape of police handcuffing Willow Kinloch, tying her feet with a leash and leaving her tethered to a cell door for four hours.

The incident, which took place in May 2005, needs to be looked at very carefully, he said.

"I think the public interest requires that we find out exactly what does happen and that can only be done through a police investigation," Ryneveld said Wednesday.

Victoria police's interim chief Bill Naughton announced Wednesday morning that his force was launching an internal investigation. He also reminded the public that there are two sides to every story.

Victoria police's interim chief Bill Naughton says results of the internal investigation will be released to the public.
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"It is important to recognize the video currently being circulated by the young woman's lawyer is a snapshot of a much longer period of time in which she's in our custody," Naughton said.

"Events are more accurately assessed when some context for that snapshot is provided and we are confident that will be fully explored during the upcoming civil trial," he said.

Richard Neary, the lawyer for Kinloch, said he's ready to release more information in the case if police give him permission.

"There is no allegation that my client ever touched, threatened or attempted to touch anyone with the Victoria Police Department outside of what's seen on that tape," Neary said.

Richard Neary, the lawyer for Willow Kinloch, says he would be happy to release more information on the case if police give him permission.
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"There indeed is other information that put context into everything. They [Victoria police] control access to that. I would be happy to release all of it," he said.

B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal said Wednesday he needs to hear all sides of the story before deciding if what happened to Kinloch was wrong.

"I found the tape to be somewhat disturbing but, having said that, it's important to hear the other side of it," Oppal said. "You can't come to any conclusion based on watching a video alone."

Kinloch has filed a lawsuit against the Victoria Police Department and the case is scheduled to begin June 16.

Kinloch's family also filed a civil suit against the City of Victoria and the four officers involved. That case is expected to go to trial in the fall.