The RCMP has confirmed that it is looking into a series of group chat messages that allegedly document officers gloating over injured Freedom Convoy protesters.
“The RCMP is aware of the material circulating on social media pertaining to a chat group that includes some of its members, and we can confirm that we are looking into the matter,” said the police force in a statement on Sunday. “This material is not representative of those who have committed themselves to serving Canadians with integrity and professionalism.”
On Saturday night, leaked Whatsapp group chats allegedly from RCMP officers were posted to social media by Rebel News, appearing to show multiple officers cheering on the violent treatment of protesters, including the video of an elderly First Nations woman being knocked down and trampled by riot horses.
“Just watched that horse video – that is awesome!!! We should practice that manoeuvre,” wrote one member by the name of “Marca.”
Another member under the name of Andrew Nixon wrote, “(t)ime for the protesters to hear our jackboots on the ground.”
Look at them laugh about their plans for violence. Who is this Andrew Nixon of the RCMP? Who is Robin Thibault? Why are they laughing about violence? Are they the ones who committed violence today? pic.twitter.com/QqrAWfKOVx
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) February 20, 2022
He added that they were going to make some “sweet OT (overtime)” that weekend, and urged his colleagues, “(d)on’t kick all of (the protesters) out until next weeks group gets our turn.”
Here’s another cop named “Marca, saying, “Just watched that horse video — that is awesome!!!” And Andrew Nixon writes, “Agreed!” pic.twitter.com/jm9atpp73S
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) February 20, 2022
Since the beginning of the Freedom Convoy, the RCMP said they have been working with municipal and provincial police forces in Ottawa to manage the protests.
All members of the RCMP, the police force said, “have a responsibility to hold themselves to the highest professional standards and are subject to the Code of Conduct of the RCMP at all times.”
“This includes acting with integrity, fairness, and impartiality and avoiding any potential conflicts between their professional responsibilities and private interests,” they said. “The RCMP has put in place measures to ensure the continued integrity of police operations as well as the safety of our members.”
The RCMP’s announcement comes as a number of reports of police violence and unprofessionalism emerge from weekend action against protesters.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit also announced that it would be opening investigations into several incidents.
These investigations include the “serious injury” of a woman in an interaction with a police horse and the discharging of “less-lethal” firearms at protesters.
True North is following this developing story.
