Media outlets continue to spread false information related to the RCMP’s involvement with Cowichan Tribe members, on the issue of the Cowichan sweaters.

The provincial media became interested in this issue after a comment made last week in the provincial legislature. The comment inaccurately described the actions of my officers and their ‘questioning’ of people planning to demonstrate on the Cowichan Sweater issue, during the Olympic Torch Relay.

We received enquiries and clarified the inaccuracies. We spoke to our actions, our neutrality on the topic, our support for the rights of free speech, and our commitment to ensuring a safe Olympic Torch Relay, and community event.

While some media outlets reported on this issue accurately, others did just the opposite.

I am troubled by the actions of those outlets that continue to spread misinformation, despite their knowledge of the facts. Their biased reporting has the potential to negatively impact the strong relationship we have with Cowichan Tribes.

They have chosen to create a controversy, despite the fact that all parties directly involved, have publicly stated none exists. The actions of these media outlets are casting an undeserving negative light over a community, whose spirit for the Olympic Torch and the Games themselves is overwhelmingly supportive.

A member of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP First Nations Community Policing Section spoke with Dianne Hinkley regarding a planned demonstration over the Cowichan sweater issue. This officer has a professional relationship with Ms. Hinkley, through past work with Cowichan Tribes.

The officer made basic enquiries about the planned demonstration, which he had read about the day before in a local newspaper. Based on the information shared by Ms. Hinkley, the officer concluded the planned protest was to be peaceful, and lawful. This concluded his interest into the matter.

This brief, casual conversation between two colleagues, has been described by some media as an “interrogation,” and identified by others as an example of “questionable police work,” or “bad judgment.”

I would suggest pitting one group against another, and presenting controversy where none exists, is bad judgment.

At no time was this officer instructed to make enquiries by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, or VANOC, as some have reported. The Integrated Security Unit has made no public inquiries on this issue, and has no plans to do so.

This was a local decision, by a local officer, who realizes that until you ask the questions, you cannot know the answers, and that without the answers, you cannot draw informed conclusions.

Inspector Kevin Hewco is the Officer in Charge of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment.