Members of the Heiltsuk Nation are standing against what they perceive as a threat within the RCMP detachment in Bella Bella. The Elected Chief of the Heiltsuk First Nation, Marilyn Slett, expressed that the community is hesitant to call the RCMP due to a sense of mistrust stemming from social media posts made by Const. Adrian Robinson under the name Adrian Rubenstein. These posts were deemed racist and unacceptable, causing fear and concern among community members who felt uncomfortable with an RCMP officer displaying such attitudes. Despite Robinson’s attempts to remove the posts, the damage had been done, leading to a lack of trust in the RCMP within the community.
The controversial posts made by Robinson, including inappropriate remarks towards Jehovah’s Witnesses and people of colour, have caused outrage within the Heiltsuk Nation. One post from 2014 showed Robinson in a period military costume with a derogatory comment directed at indigenous peoples. The Heiltsuk Nation emphasized that it does not matter when these posts were made, as they were publicly visible and reflected Robinson’s attitudes. The community has called for a code of conduct investigation to be launched by the RCMP, which would automatically remove Robinson from active duty until the issue is resolved.
The RCMP has responded to the situation by stating that the posts were made before Robinson joined the force and they are committed to addressing the concerns through a fair process. However, the Heiltsuk Nation has raised questions about the vetting process and why these posts were not flagged during screening. They have been informed that a transfer is underway for Robinson, but it could take up to 90 days to be completed. In the meantime, Robinson will continue to serve the community under the supervision of another officer. The Heiltsuk Nation sees this as a failure by the RCMP to protect the community from past and current trauma caused by racist attitudes within the police force.
The situation in Bella Bella has renewed calls for collaboration between the Heiltsuk Nation and the RCMP when it comes to hiring officers. The community leaders believe that the fact that such incidents occur indicates a lack of proper vetting and training within the RCMP, leading to ongoing harm and mistrust towards the police force. By standing against racism and calling for accountability, the Heiltsuk Nation is sending a message that they will not tolerate discriminatory behavior within their community. They emphasize the importance of building trust and confidence in law enforcement officers who are meant to serve and protect all members of society without bias.
The Heiltsuk Nation’s stance against racism within the RCMP highlights the need for systemic change and accountability within law enforcement agencies. By speaking out and demanding action, the community is taking a stand against discrimination and working towards a more inclusive and just society. The incident involving Const. Adrian Robinson serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in their interactions with police forces and the importance of holding officers accountable for their actions. It is a call to action for the RCMP to address issues of racism within their ranks and work towards building trust and positive relationships with the communities they serve.
