Ryan Venables is a former police officer from Vaughn who just started law school at the University of Western Ontario.

He has drawn on his unique experience to provide some very interesting commentary on a number of related subjects.  He even got an interview with CFRB for one of his posts.

Check them out:

Police Were Instigators in Montebello – Report Holds

When the North American Summit Leaders’ Summit was held in Montebello, Quebec in August 2007, something came to the attention of Dave Coles, President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

Amidst a seemingly peaceful protest, Coles noticed that three bandana-clad “burly” men were attempting to incite the protestors to become violent toward riot police…

David Chen: Vigilante or Local Hero?

On May 23, when Anthony Bennett was captured on video camera stealing $60 worth of plants from David Chen’s, Mr. Chen’s Lucky Moose Market located in Toronto, it set off a chain of events that may lead to a reform of what is known as “citizen’s arrest” rights here in Canada.  Ironically, it was Chen who was also arrested by the Toronto Police Service, and charges are being sought by the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Toronto Crown’s office.  However, they are seeking a quick resolution and have offered Chen a guilty plea.  Refusing Crown offer of a guilty plea, Chen is hedging his bets on a legal challenge.  The Globe & Mail article spells out much of the previous facts…

Jane/Finch Fatalities, By Car Not Gun…

On Sunday October 18th I woke up as I usually do, turning to the news to see what I missed while I was dreaming of something I would undoubtedly not remember… I recall rolling my eyes when I heard of another death in the Jane/Finch area, an area I visited on occasion in a past career and hear of often while watching the news.  Then the pictures flashed across the screen.  A BMW.  A Honda Odessey.  A seat.  Engine.  Bodies (yes that is PLURAL!).  All strewn across a street that normally attracts attention for shell casings, and knife blades.  I have seen fatal car accidents, dead bodies, but none of that amounted to the carnage inflicted to that minivan…

UWO Arrest: Justified Arrest or Abuse of Power?

After learning of the arrest of University of Western Ontario student Irnes Zeljkovic on Wednesday October 14, 2009, I looked up The Toronto Star article which led me to two videos on YouTube. The comments there, unfortunately, like always, are quite polarizing. On one side, there are those who think that the police were well within their rights to arrest an actively resisting suspect, and there are those who feel that the police are overstepping the boundary and are assaulting Mr. Zeljkovic. After looking at all the available information, I am firmly in the middle of these two views.

I am fortunate enough to be able to dissect this video from the perspective of a former police officer…

Monia Mazigh, the wife of Maher Arar who campaigned tirelessly for his return to Canada, spoke at UWO Law today.

After a Royal Commission that exonerated him, Arar received an apology from the RCMP and compensation from the Canadian government to help cover his legal costs. Despite this, nobody has been held accountable in Canada, and he continues to face difficulties over his inclusion on lists in the U.S.

She said her husband’s case is just one of many that the Canadian public need to learn more about.

He talked at great length on the relationship between the RCMP and the legal community.

But he also fielded some tough questions from the audience regarding recent RCMP tactics, including over-breadth towards counter-terrorism, staff shortages and allegations of incompetence, and the use of tasers.

One attendee specifically asked about RCMP complicity in torture in the cases of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati, and Muayyed Nureddin.  He pointed out that Foreign Affairs official Jonathan Solomon was aware as early as October 2002 of the likelihood of torture, citing pp. 208-209 of the Arar Report,

The RCMP are ready to send their Syrian counterparts a request that Al Malki be asked questions provided by the RCMP, questions relating to other members of his organization. Both ISI and DMSCUS/HOM [Ambassador Pillarella] have pointed out to the RCMP that such questioning may involve torture. The RCMP are aware of this but have nonetheless decided to send their request.
[Emphasis Added]

These three individuals are expected to visit London, Ontario in the coming weeks to relate their story, and the issue of “the other Arars” has become one of interest to the community here.