Ian Bush Story Will Never be Fully Known

None of us were there, and we'll never really know what happened.

But the result of the coroner's inquest into the shooting death of Ian Bush in Houston, BC by a young RCMP officer is hardly satisfying to anyone.

The officer's story that he shot Mr. Bush in the back of the head while underneath Mr. Bush and reaching back with his gun challenges credulity.

And the fact that the officer was not questioned by investigators until 3 months had passed is almost criminal in itself.

Police must not be allowed to investigate themselves. The taint is built in by natural sympathies.

The fact that the jury had to recommend the installation of video monitors is appalling. One would have thought that was a given. Not so.

The police, in general, and the RCMP, in particular, are and must be important and respected and signature components of our social order. But to maintain that position and with honor, they have to be clear and transparent and the most law-abiding of us all.