Jury Calls For Change To RCMP Standoff Protocol

Jury Calls For Change To RCMP Standoff Protocol

Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 15:38

A coroner’s jury has made six recommendations following an inquest into the shooting death of a 38-year-old man in La Ronge at the hands of the RCMP.

Shawn Martinot died from several gunshot wounds on August 30th, 2004 after engaging in a 17-hour standoff with Mounties at a hotel in La Ronge.

Among other things, the jury is recommending that all RCMP negotiating teams include a non-police professional negotiator.

The jury also says the protocol for negotiations should be reviewed to include family and friends.

During the inquest, a lawyer representing Martinot’s family questioned why the RCMP didn’t alert the family of the situation until after Martinot’s death.

The inquest also heard that Martinot was believed to have taken anti-depressants and been drinking heavily in the days leading up to the standoff.