An apology this week from a southwestern Ontario police chief for the time it took to lay sexual assault charges against five Junior Team Canada players marked an important step in the recognition of harm, but it lacked key elements needed to demonstrate full responsibility and restore trust, experts said.
At a news conference Monday in London, Ont., Police Chief Thai Truong apologized to a complainant and her family on behalf of police for taking nearly six years to charge five members of the 2018 Canadian junior hockey team.
But the chief has repeatedly refused to explain why the case was initially dismissed without charges in 2019, or what prompted the review that led investigators to reopen it in 2022, citing the ongoing trial. Mr Truong said there would come a time when he could provide more information, adding that he was “confident” such a situation would not arise again.
None of the allegations against the players have stood the test of the courts. All five have said, through their lawyers, that they will defend themselves against the allegations.
The chief did well to acknowledge the delay and that the harm it caused goes “well beyond” the complainant, and appeared sincere in expressing his regret, according to Shannon Moore, a professor at Brock University whose research focuses on restorative justice and trauma-informed policy, practice and pedagogy.
However, “there are still many elements needed” to help repair some of the damage caused, she said.
An effective apology must reflect “the whole truth about the harm caused,” and that goes beyond just how long it took to make accusations, she noted.
“It’s also what happened that led to this delay: what steps weren’t taken, what steps were taken. »
It is also important to uncover and resolve any systemic issues that led to the decision being made, she added.
In addition, “measures need to be taken to make this meaningful, such as changes within the police force, for example.”
Police may be limited in what they can say at the moment, but they must demonstrate an “absolute commitment to act when some of these limitations are lifted,” Ms.me Moore.
” Its a question of confidence. Trust must be rebuilt, because it has been broken. »
In an emailed statement, Truong said Monday’s news conference was intended to provide context to the accusations, knowing there would be limits to what could be revealed.
“We understand and acknowledge that there are several questions that we were not able to answer at the press conference, but as I shared with the public, there will be a time and place for me to speak of these questions when the investigation is completed,” he said.
“Any discussion of the details of the investigation may jeopardize the success of this prosecution. Our main priority at this time is to protect the prosecution and support the victim of this very serious alleged crime. »
Although the chief must be attentive to the criminal record and what defense attorneys might raise at trial, there are ways to indicate that action is being taken without compromising court proceedings, argued law professor Melanie Randall at Western University whose work focuses on issues of sexual violence, including the responsibility of the state in its response to such violence.
Mr. Truong could make an “explicit promise to be fully available” at the end of the trial, with a detailed report and external monitoring, rather than offering “a vague ‘we can’t talk about this right now’.” she declared.
The force could also step up its work with community groups and supports related to violence against women, so those groups can demonstrate “concrete change,” she said.
When a public institution apologizes, it is important that its actions match its words, she said.
“Words are important, but actions are even more important. »