Prince George, BC / unceded Lheidli T’enneh Territory – Today, Judge Fortino sentenced Arthur Dalman, the Prince George RCMP officer convicted of obstructing justice, to 18 months’ probation. This means that Dalman will have a criminal record, will have to report to a probation officer, and must complete 150 hours of community work service.
On July 18, 2017, Dale Culver, a 35-year-old Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan man, was killed by the Prince George RCMP. That night, multiple RCMP officers pepper-sprayed, punched, kicked, and kneed Culver, who died approximately 30 minutes later after complaining of difficulty breathing.
Const. Paul Ste. Marie and Const. Jean Francois Monette were charged with manslaughter. Sgt. John Eusebio Cruz, Const. Arthur Dalman, and Const. Clarence MacDonald were charged with obstruction of justice. Later, the Prosecutor stayed charges against Ste. Marie, Monette, and MacDonald. Despite charging five RCMP officers, Arthur Dalman is the only officer who has been convicted of a crime.
Lily Speed-Namox, Dale Culver’s daughter: “I was 14 years old when the police killed my dad. I spent nine years of my life going to court, speaking out, and seeking justice for my dad. I know that Dalman did not physically cause my father’s death. However, he attempted to cover up what happened that night. Dalman could have stood up, but instead, he was part of the RCMP’s rotten culture of protecting their own. Dalman received 18 months’ probation and a criminal record for his crime, but it doesn’t bring my dad back.”
Debbie Pierre, Dale Culver’s cousin: “For nine years, our family has carried the unbearable weight of Dale’s death. Obstruction of justice is not a victimless crime. In this case, it prolonged our suffering, delayed justice, and deepened the trauma of losing Dale in a violent and preventable way. Our family bore the emotional, financial, and spiritual cost of seeking justice. Today, the judge delivered one step towards accountability, but for us, the journey does not end here. We will continue to fight for systemic change.”
Latoya Farrell, Policy Staff Counsel, BC Civil Liberties Association: “Arthur Dalman knew it was wrong to demand that a witness delete video evidence during a criminal investigation. Police officers have a duty to uphold the law—they occupy a position of privilege and authority. When a police officer obstructs justice, his actions strike at the heart and integrity of the justice system, fundamentally undermining the public’s trust. Dalman’s actions as a police officer must be considered in the broader context of policing’s longstanding history of discrimination and harm to Indigenous communities. Because of this, for Indigenous communities, this breach of trust is felt even more deeply.”