News Release

CPC/RCMP Independent Observer to Monitor Investigation into In-Custody Death of Raymond Silverfox in Whitehorse, Yukon

Ottawa, December 4, 2008 – The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) and the RCMP today announced it will employ the Independent Observer Program to monitor the RCMP investigation into events related to the in-custody death of Raymond Silverfox in Whitehorse, Yukon, on December 2, 2008.

"The inclusion of a CPC independent observer in this investigation will assist in mitigating any concerns about the impartiality of the RCMP investigation" said CPC Chair Paul E. Kennedy. "I'm also encouraged to see the program be extended for the first time outside of British Columbia."

The CPC observer will assess the impartiality of the RCMP investigative process and participants during initial meetings and will receive regular case briefings throughout.

The Independent Observer Program currently involves only the RCMP in British Columbia ("E" Division). Yukon's "M" Division (as part of the Pacific Region of the RCMP) made a special request that the program be initiated for this investigation.

More information on the Independent Observer Program can be found on the CPC website at http://www.cpc-cpp.gc.ca.

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For more information, please contact:
Nelson Kalil
Manager, Communications
613-952-2452
nelson.kalil@cpc-cpp.gc.ca