Laura Drake, Globe and Mail
An Edmonton police officer who faced official sanction for testifying as an independent blood-spatter expert at the Ian Bush inquest said yesterday he felt vindicated to hear the Edmonton police chief say he should be able to take similar action in the future.”I’m elated, really, or very, very happy, because it’s been a nine-year battle for me,” Constable Joe Slemko told The Globe and Mail yesterday.
Constable Slemko is an independent consultant as well as a 21-year veteran of the Edmonton police. This month he told the coroner’s inquest into Mr. Bush’s death that the Edmonton Police Service forbade him from testifying as an independent defence witness or against any other police force.
“I’ve always had this restriction that I didn’t agree with and it’s caused my problems for disobeying what I believed was an unlawful order,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Constable Slemko has twice been found guilty of insubordination for refusing to follow the order and testifying in several wrongful-conviction cases.
However, after a police commission meeting on Wednesday night where the policy was discussed, police Chief Mike Boyd said he was not concerned about Constable Slemko appearing as a defence witness in the future.
“When a police officer gives evidence, they give evidence in court. Whether it be to the benefit of an accused or the detriment of an accused, you give your evidence independently, objectively, honestly,” Mr. Boyd said.
“I would say yes, he would be free to testify, but we need to know how he’s going to engage in this practice, so it’s transparent.”
Constable Slemko said he has always notified the police service in writing when he is going to testify as an independent blood-spatter consultant, including his appearance in Houston, B.C., at the coroner’s inquest into Mr. Bush’s death.
Edmonton police spokeswoman Lisa Lammi confirmed yesterday the force is reviewing its best practices policy on extra employment as a result of the controversy that has surrounded Constable Slemko. She said the force has had a long-standing policy that members must clear outside work with the force’s human resources department.
Constable Slemko said he provides free expert testimony in cases where he believes there is a danger of injustice.
“To me, it’s unethical to further victimize someone that’s already been victimized by the justice system,” he said.
“For example, there’s no way I could accept money from the Bush family, because they’re the real victims in all of this.”
Although the policy is under review, Ms. Lammi said Constable Slemko still faces a disciplinary hearing in the fall. Constable Slemko said that hearing is for testifying against an Alberta RCMP officer this year.
“It’s still scheduled as of today and we’re going to look into whether or not these circumstances are similar to the circumstances of his previous convictions and if so, we will look to have it overturned,” said Sergeant Tony Simioni, the vice-president of the union representing Edmonton police officers.
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