Catherine McClarty still has nightmares about her arrest two years ago during an anti-logging protest on Vancouver Island and her experience with a controversial RCMP unit that’s been accused of improper use of force, neglect of duty and more.

As part of ongoing protests against logging of old-growth forests in the Fairy Creek watershed, the 47-year old took part in one of the largest acts of civil unrest in Canadian history.

  • TerkErJerbs
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    31 year ago

    Yeah not surprised. The head of that unit was (probably still is, haven’t looked him up in awhile) Jason Charney. If you search his name and CIRG you’ll find lots of paydirt going back years prior to the Fairy Creek and Wet’Su actions. He’s a fuckin douchebag, and his whole team follows suit.

    The CIRG started as a small specialized counter-insurgency unit but when they took off, in conjunction with the Wet’Su actions ramping up, they got a lot of funding. They also got (and continue to receive) an influx of over-timers from other regions, detachments and units who can spare the personnel. To say that another way, if Brooks, AB or Brandon, MB detachments are having a slow month, their members can “volunteer” to rotate out on other assignments such as Charney’s F.N./hippy headbusting crew. And if you pay attention, CIRG keeps getting more funding because douchebagettes from other regions are more than stoked to get on Jason’s team for a working vacay, make some overtime, use all the fun new tech toys, and stir shit up. They actually love it, and it shows.

    They’re a crew, within the RCMP, who openly and gladly do damage to resistors of industry. The funny thing is they were deployed nation-wide for a bit during the omicronvoy anti-vax protests… and that probably either solidified their place on the federal level or… if they fucked that assignment up… did damage to their unit’s future. I haven’t dug too deep on that one.

    I’ve also seen articles from 2 to 3 years ago about RCMP training in Israel for counter-insurgency tactics (i.e. against Gaza and Hamas) but those references I seem to remember being within easy reach appear to be scrubbed. Really makes ya think.png

    Here’s some fun take-home reading for anyone interested in the above… Militarization of Police - publicsafety.gc.ca and I quote:

    On June 16, 2020, Mr. Paul Manly, MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith (Green), asked the Minister why funding is being used for the militarization of civilian police forces, with mention of “weapons of war” being provided to the RCMP for the policing of civilians, in reference to Tactical Armoured Vehicles.

    Incidents involving police intervention are complex, dynamic and constantly evolving, oftentimes in a highly-charged atmosphere. Police officers must make split-second decisions when it comes to using interventions. For this reason, the Incident Management Intervention Model (IMIM) is introduced in the second week at the RCMP’s Training Academy, Depot, and then integrated into all other relevant aspects of training for the remaining 24 weeks. After leaving Depot, annual IMIM re-certification is mandatory for all regular members.


    The RCMP continually reviews its policies, procedures, training and safety equipment to ensure it is using the most effective practices in law enforcement. The RCMP’s approach in responding to protests has evolved significantly and it is moving away from enforcement-focussed policing toward a measured and intelligence-led approach using community conflict management principles.

    The RCMP has an Operational Framework to Address Large Scale Protests. The framework encourages officers to prevent and resolve conflict, accommodate and respect differences and interests, and strategize to minimize the need for use of intervention options. In support of this framework, the RCMP has developed Community Conflict Management Group (CCMG) training that is available to RCMP employees and other law enforcement agencies. CCMG training teaches interest-based communication skills, strategic thinking, and relationship-building techniques to facilitate the timely resolution of conflicts. CCMG-trained police officers use relationship-building techniques, emphasizing proactive engagement to establish trust, respect and accommodation of the positions and interests of all parties.

    Emphasis mine, and fuck you Jason Charney. ACAB