WATCH ABOVE: The provincial government is looking at whether it can make improvements to the bail process in Alberta. Tom Vernon explains.
EDMONTON — Alberta is reviewing its bail procedures following the murder of a Mountie in January.
Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley says the review is to determine who should conduct bail hearings and under what circumstances.
READ MORE: St. Albert RCMP shooter Shawn Rehn had ‘incredibly complex criminal history’
Ganley ordered the review following a report into the death of RCMP Const. David Wynn who was shot at a casino in St. Albert just north of Edmonton.
The killer, Shawn Rehn, was later found dead.
READ MORE: Alberta MP introduces Dave Wynn’s Law in honour of St. Albert Mountie
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said 34-year-old Rehn had a lengthy, “incredibly complex criminal history” and was “very, very well known to police.”
“Overlapping firearms prohibitions and just a series of conditions that aren’t making sense to me as I review it, and I’ve been policing for 30 years,” Paulson said in January.
Rehn had a lengthy history of criminal and violent behaviour, but was free after a bail hearing where a police officer – and not a Crown prosecutor – was present.
The case raised the question of whether Crown prosecutors, with more courtroom experience, should attend all bail hearings.
“This is a crucial system,” said Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley. “This is a system that ensures both the rights of those who sort of face the state in terms of a prosecution and also ensures the safety of our communities and of our police officers. So I think it’s important to review it to determine if there’s anything we can do to make it better.”
The RCMP said it supports the decision to review the bail hearing process.
“The RCMP in Alberta welcomes any initiative that contributes to enhanced public safety. We look forward to working with the Government of Alberta in support of its review of existing policy and procedures related to bail hearings,” said Deputy Commissioner Marianne Ryan, Commanding Officer for the RCMP in Alberta.
With files from Global News
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