'I don't recall,' Says Former Winnipeg Area Police Chief in Ongoing Inquiry

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Harry Bekema has finally been called as a witness in the investigation into a fatal crash that happened in the Winnipeg, Manitoba area in 2005. At issue are the initial crash investigation, possible favouritism extended to the police officer responsible for the accident, and the actions of then Police Chief Bakema.


Details of the Crash

In February, 2005, an off-duty officer in the East St. Paul police force, a Winnipeg suburb, rear-ended Crystal Talman. Although officer Derek Harvey-Zenk was not critically injured in the accident, Talman's injuries were fatal. As is customary in these circumstance, an inquiry into the crash was ordered. The current inquiry is the result of the initial crash investigation and the perceived ineptitude of those involved in it.

Current Inquiry

Bekema has admitted that the police force "could have done a better job." When pressed for details regarding his involvement, he seemed to have suffered from extreme, although selective, memory loss. It is reported that he responded, "I don't recall", or versions thereof, more than 20 times during his testimony. Highlights of his lack of recall include:

• the purpose for calling a car dealership mere hours into the on-site investigation—checking on car repairs and / or arranging for a replacement vehicle for Harvey-Zenk were submitted as possibilities.
• placing several calls to the division commander—Bekema felt that (now) Police Chief McCaskill, who was that commander, should be informed about his officer's involvement.
• Bekema's decision not to interview paramedics that were at the scene
• inconsistencies in the notes Bekema took at the time
• a discussion with his direct superior regarding any possible conflict of interest arising from investigating an officer-involved accident

In Bekema's words, "I think I did the best I could do for what I had there and my ability at that time." One has to wonder how he was promoted to chief of police with such startling investigative skills.

Commission counsel Paciocco also questioned Bekema as to why a roadside breathalyzer was not demanded from Harvey-Zenk at the time. Evidence confirms that witness accounts, at the time, indicated that Harvey-Zenk had likely been under the influence of alcohol during the crash. Bekema responded that he felt this test to be unnecessary. Paciccco also had serious concerns about omissions, alterations, and other inconsistencies between Bekema's notes at the time and the later official report of the crash.

The Talman family is completely unsurprised at the direction this inquiry has taken or the responses of Bekema (and others). When asked for a response, Robert Talman, Crystal's widower said, "It just shows the operation of East St. Paul police, and how they did things ... I think that as time goes on here, we'll see he doesn't recollect a lot more. But we'll wait and see." His response is understandable given that Harvey-Zenk received a lenient conditional sentence for his involvement and has already been reinstated in the local police force.

The inquiry is expected to wrap up in the near future, as there is a deadline of September 30th for the final report.