Hundreds of first responders and members of the public join march to pay tribute to murdered Ontario state police With increasing calls for the federal government to reform bail policy,
A procession carrying a 28-year-old const. Greg Pierrcala’s body began at the coroner’s office in Toronto and ended in his hometown of Barry, Ontario. About an hour later.
police board member As the procession began, other first responders lined up outside the coroner’s office to salute Pieruchala.
Hundreds of people packed the overpass along Route 400, raising their hands in reverence like hearses and hearses. police A car with flashing lights passed by.
dozens board memberincluding Ontario police Commissioner Thomas Carrick was at Barry’s funeral home when the procession arrived. board member As their colleagues saluted him, they carried Pierrcala’s coffin inside.
police It says Pierrchara was shot dead in an “ambush” attack earlier this week after responding to a call for a car in a ditch on the west side of Hagersville, Ontario.
Pierzchala had been with OPP for over a year and was informed hours before he died that he had completed his 10-month probation period. He used to be a special constable in Queen’s Park and as a boy dreamed of joining the police force. police rank.
Carrique says that Pierzchala earned the respect of his colleagues during his short time in the army.
“They knew they could rely on him in the most dangerous and stressful situations,” he said at a press conference this week.
Insp. Haldimand County OPP detachment commander Phil Carter called Pierrcala’s death a “devastating loss”.
“It was an unimaginable and heartbreaking loss for us. board member Worked with the local Konst. Greg Piachala. He was a son, a brother and a friend,” she said at a press conference.
“He’s not with us anymore. It hurts.”
Pierzchala’s funeral will be held at the Barrie on January 4th. OPP will announce more details soon.
Randall Mackenzie, 25, and Brandi Crystal Lynn Stewart Sperry, 30, have each been charged with first-degree murder.
Mackenzie was initially denied bail, but was later released on bail months before Tuesday’s shooting in a separate case involving numerous assault and weapons-related charges, court documents show. was recognized.
A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear in court in August, according to documents.
In recent days, there have been calls for the federal government to reform Canada’s bail policy.
On Friday, Conservative Party leader Pierre Polivre urged the Trudeau government to “withdraw its catch-and-release bail policy.”This is done by referring to Bill C-75, passed by the Liberal Party in 2019, and directing it to update the criminal law bail provisions. police It then decides to apply the “principle of restraint” to bail.
the law gives the court, police More powers to impose restrictions on those accused of crimes, as long as they commit to appear in court.
“Instead, what we have to do is keep a small number of repeat violent offenders in prison and, if they are newly arrested, deny bail until their trials are complete. .
At a press conference Wednesday, the OPP commissioner said he was “outraged” that Mackenzie was released on bail.
“I know there is a lot of interest, if possible, in making changes to prevent people charged with firearm-related violent crimes from being in that position,” Carrick said. said at a press conference.
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said in a statement Thursday that a “failed bail system” meant innocent people were “not on our streets, but at the hands of dangerous criminals who should have been in prison.” ” said he lost his life.
“Come on. Much more must be done to fix a system that too often sacrifices public safety. police board member Instead of cracking down on repeat perpetrators of these heinous crimes. ”
Bill C-75, aimed at reducing the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Canadian prisons, requires courts to consider the circumstances of vulnerable population defendants when deciding whether to grant bail. I’m here.
Court documents did not indicate why Mackenzie was granted bail, but said he was from the Onondaga First Nations of the Six Nations in Grand River Territory and had experienced the ill effects of colonialism. increase.
