Dunphy death 'cemented' justice minister's resolve to set up independent unit to investigate police

Newfoundland and Labrador's justice minister says the inquiry into the police shooting death of Don Dunphyunderscores the need foran independent teamto investigate when a police officer harms or kills someone.

"There's generally a negative perception when it comes to police investigating their own and it's not just the public that says that. Even our police forces say that as well," saidAndrew Parsons.

It's something that I've talked about for a long time.- Andrew Parsons

Other provinces have recognized this problem and taken steps to solve it.

Ontario has a Special Investigative Unit (SIU). Alberta has a Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). Parsons saidthis province should be able to turn to a similar body.

"We need to have this where it's a civilian-led, independent oversight of our police forces and I think that will protect the public'sinterests and I think it's a protection for our police forces as well," he said.

Parsons saidhe wanted an independent body to investigate when police harm or kill someone before a Royal Newfoundland Constabularyofficer fatally shot a man inMitchellsBrook on April 5,2015.

But he says theRCMPinvestigation into DonDunphy'sdeath put the idea of police investigating police under a microscope andunderscored why it's important to have arms-length scrutiny.

"It's something that I've talked about for a long time but that incident has onlycemented my beliefthat it's a necessary thing," said Parsons.

• RCMP accused of tunnel vision in combative exchange about Don Dunphy investigation

• Under scrutiny: How the SIU decides a police shooting is justified

Legislation expected this year

Parsons saidits not clear what form the unit will take. He said his department is looking at establishing a stand-alone Newfoundland and Labrador unit or perhaps collaborating with other provinces to create an Atlantic serious incident response team.

Parsons said he wants a unit that is transparent and makes its reports available to the public.

"No doubt. I think that's the hallmark of this. We want to ensure public confidence in the system and keeping reports secret doesn't do anything to help that," he said.

You don't want rush and fool it up.- Andrew Parsons

Parsons saidlegislation to create the civilian-led police oversight team will come in 2017 but it's not certain if that will happen during the spring session of the House of Assemblyor in the fall.

"I'd like to have it happen sooner rather than later but with something this serious, you don't want rush and fool it up," he said.