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The Tragedy On August 2nd 2005, at 11:30 at night, Monica Pomahac-Lansing, a 41 year old, single mother, who was dying from Leukemia had her three children taken away from her by the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS). They were accompanied by her ex-brother-in-law, a former policeman and an off duty EMT-P. The children’s pleas to remain with their mother were ignored and Monica was threatened with arrest. Hours later, she died without ever seeing her children again. Family Statement The Family believes that the LPS enforced an order that contravened the joint custody divorce agreement between Monica and her ex-husband, and the Domestic Relations Act of Alberta. They also believe that in her weakened condition, the physical and emotional stress and the devastation of losing her children accelerated her death. Changes to Canadian Law Monica Pomahac- Lansing ( 1964-2005) Because of what happened to Monica, Canadian Law was changed. Monica’s legacy was preserved because of the tireless efforts and lobbying of her sister Andrea Glover and the assistance of a local Member of Parliament. In May of 2006, the House of Commons united on an unprecedented scale and unanimously passed Private Member’s Bill C-252 - An Act to amend the Divorce Act (Access for Spouse who Is Terminally Ill or in Critical Condition), ensuring a terminally ill divorced parent death-bed access to children in the custody of the other parent. In May of 2007, that bill received Royal Assent and is now part of the Divorce Act (Chapter D 17 5.1).
Harassment After 3 hours, the police had assisted in removing a load of laundry, several children’s books and a few pieces of Lego. Public Impact A video of the tragedy of was released on the internet and thousands of people expressed their outrage and disgust at the horror that had been inflicted upon a dying mother. Criminal InvestigationFollowing her death, Premier Ralph Klein and subsequently Premier Ed Stelmach directed the Minister of Justice to direct the Lethbridge Chief Crown Prosecutor to coordinate the investigation of the events surrounding Monica Pomahac-Lansing’s life and death.
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The Chief Crown Prosecutor had previously denied an emergency protection order request by Monica from her ex-husband and she was forced to seek refuge in a local women’s shelter. In a meeting with the Family he stated the LPS had “made a mistake” but refused to launch an investigation of any of the police officers involved. He directed the LPS to conduct a criminal investigation into Monica’s ex-brother-in-law. The constable who took Monica’s children away has since resigned from the LPS. Another constable that was involved in the call that disrupted the family while they were making funeral arrangements has also left the force. The Duty sergeant who dispatched the constable to take Monica’s children is still on active duty.He will be attending the hearing in the role of a witness and therefore no disciplinary action make be taken against him. The LPS is being represented by one of the biggest firms in Canada - Bennett Jones. The Family is concerned that there has been a concentrated effort to reduce the scope of the hearing and avoid the night of Monica’s death by focusing on the actions of a single police officer who attended the call to remove items from her home after she died Two and a half years after supplying the LERB board with their evidence, the family still feels that it has not received copies of all of the radio and phone call recordings regarding both events. With less than a month to go before the hearing commences only a single radio transcript has been supplied regarding the night Monica’s children were taken.
A Law Enforcement Review Board hearing into the actions of the Lethbridge Police Service is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 26th – May 29th, 2009, at the Lethbridge Court House, 320 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada The Family will hold a press conference, prior to the hearing, in front of the Court House at 8:00 a.m. on May 26th. We implore all members of the media to attend this hearing to ensure that the public will know the truth and that justice will be served. Media inquiries may be directed to: Leukikia Ms. Andrea Glover (403) 327-3025 LERB Lethbridge Regional Police Service
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