iN DISCUSSION: Vernon Mounties face tough choices in toxic work environment

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

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It’s time for North Okanagan politicians to speak up about RCMP toxic management

I don’t know how to explain how desperate some Mounties in Vernon must be to speak with reporters at all, let alone tell Ben Bulmer about serious trouble at their detachment.

‘TOXIC’: Bullying from Vernon’s top Mountie forcing members to flee, cops say 

It just doesn’t happen, but it did and we’re going to have to deal with it. 

A growing number of Mounties at the Vernon detachment are risking good jobs, their careers, their pensions and life in the North Okanagan because toxic management isn’t worth it any longer.

Look, I know this is a long story, but it’s an important one. These folks, who you depend on as your last line of defence, are struggling. 

They’re told to do things they aren’t sure are legal, others they know aren’t legal. They’ve seen too many cops railroaded by the guy in charge. That makes recruitment and retention worse so once again the detachment struggles to put out a full watch some shifts, they ‘risk it out’.

Three cops covering the entire North Okanagan, a huge area. Just think how dangerous that is.

And Dave Goodyear, who as a cop, saw all the things you and your family are glad you don’t see. It takes its toll. He sought help and only got more punishment.

Mounties all saw what happened to him and that’s why we’re here today. They have nowhere else to turn for help but their own community. Ben was very busy yesterday hearing more corroboration.

What happens when a critical mass of non-confidence in Supt. Blake MacLeod meets an institution designed to protect him? 

Except this isn’t an institutional naval-gazing exercise, this is playing out in a detachment paid for by the citizens and the City of Vernon and North Okanagan communities. 

Are they listening? Will mayors and councillors show leadership, mediate, advocate, acknowledge their concerns? Or will they melt and wilt again, clench and throw up their hands to mutter a cowardly ‘no comment’ and tap out, surely a luxury Vernon Mounties don’t have.

Stay tuned. We’re sticking with this story.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

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iN PHOTOS: Superb Silver Star mountain sunsets saturate skies

Absolutely spectacular photos. Thank you for sharing.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

iN NUMBERS: British Columbians still feel threatened by Trump’s tariffs

We just need to carry on as if nothing is happening below the border because the orange lunatic can’t remember one day to the next what his policy is. His numbers are tanking, the midterm elections are 9 months from now and sometime between now and then someone’s going to let him know he needs to knock it off.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

Food inflation spiked 7.3% in January. Here’s what’s driving the increase

When restaurant inflation is 5% higher than food inflation and wages have not increased to match, it explains why people are not going out so much and restaurants are hurting. Perhaps restaurants need to re evaluate.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

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Tara Armstrong Recall Countdown

Tara Armstrong is currently the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. She rode the coattails of the BC Conservative Party, got elected, then rejected and left the party to serve as an Independent within weeks because the Conservatives were too left wing. Now she gets to spout moronic, hateful rhetoric and claim that her riding supports her.

Elections BC says you can recall an MLA if 40% of eligible voters in the riding sign a recall petition — but not for the first 18 months after an election. Some people started an online petition calling for a byelection once she made a shift to independent, then got herself a raise by forming her own party, but it won’t mean anything until the countdown clock hits zero.

So let the countdown begin!

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