The widow of one of three RCMP officers who were killed during the 2014 shooting rampage in Moncton says the delay of the trial for Labour Code charges against the force is “yet another heartache in this journey for accountability.”
READ MORE: Father-in-law of slain Mountie in Moncton shootings calls for Ottawa, RCMP to avoid trial
The trial was set to begin Tuesday, but a source close to the case told Global News earlier this month that lawyers will appear in court, but the case will adjourn until April 24.
Nadine Larche, the widow of Doug Larche, said in a statement she is hopeful the end result will mean improved safety for RCMP members.
“I hope that this gets resolved quickly and that there are no further delays,” Larche said.
“I am glad that charges were laid and that the Crown is holding the RCMP responsible for mistakes that were made that cost three lives and the heartache of many more, including our community.”
Employment and Social Development Canada alleges there were four Labour Code violations in the June 4, 2014 incident in which constables Fabrice Gevaudan and Dave Ross also died, while constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded.
A five-month 16×9 investigation, “Under Fire”, raised questions regarding officer training and equipment before the shooting happened.
READ MORE : Trial of RCMP on labour charges after shootings in Moncton, N.B., set for April
Two specific complaints raised by officers interviewed were the lack of carbine rifles and inadequate training.
The first charge alleges the RCMP did not provide members with “appropriate use-of-force equipment or related user training.”
The second and third charges allege the police force failed to provide members and supervisors with “appropriate information, instruction and/or training to ensure their health and safety when responding to an active threat or active shooter.”
The fourth charge accuses the RCMP of failing “to ensure the health and safety at work of every person employed by it.”
The RCMP have pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
In her statement, Larche says the deaths “were avoidable.”
“Had they had proper equipment (that had previously been recommended), proper training and information, I believe that the outcome of that day would have been very different,” Larche said.
She also commented on RCMP officers’ recent move to remove their yellow stripes from their uniform for better pay and working conditions, what she called “essentially the same reasons.”
READ MORE: Moncton Mounties protest for better wages, join national movement
“They are all frustrated and tired of the ill-equipped and poor working conditions RCMP officers are placed in daily,” she said.
“While extremely difficult for all, my hope is that there will be accountability that will bring about rapid changes to ensure officer safety and better working conditions throughout the force.”
Larche also said she plans to attend the trial, though she said she may not be there every day. If convicted, the RCMP faces up to $1 million in fines for each charge, and RCMP officials could face up to two years in prison.
—With files from James Armstrong, Global News and The Canadian Press
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