Race doesn't play a role in missing persons cases, Winnipeg police say

The Winnipeg Police Service responded Monday to an emotional letter written by a teenage girl accusing the police of treating cases of missing indigenous persons differently than those of non-indigenous people.

"The WPS as a whole and our missing persons unit — our detectives and our coordinators — care about every missing persons report and we strive hard to reach a successful outcome on all of our missing person files," said Det.-Sgt. Shauna Neufeld.

"We aren't perfect, but we do want all families of missing people to know that we care and we're doing what we can to resolve each and every file."

Brianna Jonnie, 14, addressed her letter to WPS Chief Devon Clunis, a number of government officials and members of local media.

"Deputy Chief Danny Smyth conducted himself in a most respectful manner when disclosing Cooper had been found deceased and drugs were involved," Jonnie wrote.

"I have noticed missing indigenous girls are not afforded the same courtesies — by the community, the media or the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS)."

But Neufeld pushed back against the perception that investigators treat cases of indigenous people differently.

Police begin the majority of missing person cases in the same way, Neufeld says, regardless of ethnicity. One of the first things to happen is a release is sent out to local media that includes a photo, description, details of where they were last seen and any other pertinent information police think could help the investigation.

There are instances, however, when specific cases receive more urgent treatment, she said.

• 'You can do better': Indigenous teen calls on Winnipeg police to make MMIW a priority

"If we have a suicidal youth, a senior suffering from dementia, or an individual whose behaviour has extremely deviated from the norm; those are a few examples of when it's urgent. There's many others," she said. 

"Many files will resolve quite quickly. Others, as investigators begin to investigate, we quickly learn they've had very recent contact with others: friends, family member, loved ones. So, they are resolved quickly and don't make it to the media."

There is also a fair amount of missing persons cases that involve people who have run away from home or are deliberately trying to lay low, Neufeld said.

"Many missing people are wanted or in breach of conditions, and sometimes that impacts our ability to find them as quickly, with them often trying to evade police," she said.

It's also a challenge to manage the sheer number of missing persons reports each year.

In 2015, Neufeld said there were well over 6,000 missing person reports in Winnipeg. There are currently four files from last year that remain unsolved, she added.

"I can tell you there's nothing more heart-wrenching for our members than not being able to give a family answers on a missing persons file," she said.

Brent Nemeth, the father of slain Winnipeg teen Cooper Nemeth, said he was hurt by what he called a damaging letter from Jonnie, as well as the implication that his son received an unfair amount of attention from police and media.

RAW: Brent Nemeth talks about the emotions he felt after reading Brianna Jonnie's letter

9 years ago

Duration 2:08

The dad of slain Winnipeg teen Cooper Nemeth says a heartbreaking and what he calls damaging letter from teen Brianna Jonnie prompted him to write a response - from himself and from Cooper.

• Cooper Nemeth's dad addresses 'heartbreaking' letter from Winnipeg teen

Terry Nelson, grand chief of the Southern Chiefs Organization, said he has already seen racist comments online in response to the letter that are revealing of what a young indigenous girl like Jonnie is feeling and says in her letter.

"I don't condemn the father for saying what he says. He's, right now, hurt," Nelson said. "But the reality is it doesn't downgrade the real concerns of a 14-year-old native girl in the province of Manitoba facing an extreme amount of racism who is being targeted."

James Favel, an organizer with the Bear Clan Patrol, said he is driven to work toward "a new normal" in terms of community responses to missing persons.

"We have made some real gains and I don't want to see it be lost," Favel said, adding "you can't take away from [Jonnie's] reality.

"I wouldn't malign her for how she feels. I know that there's many women in my community that have the same feeling."

Still, while Favel acknowledges Jonnie's concerns are valid, he added that negativity surrounding the issue isn't productive either.

"Delaine Copenace went missing last Friday. We've been searching; the media has been all over it. I think coverage has been equal in that respect."

Neufeld added that it's important for the public to keep in mind that it isn't always going to be clear externally how much work police are putting into resolving cases of missing persons.

"On many files … things might be quiet or seem quiet from an outside perspective, [but] it has to be stressed that our members of the Winnipeg Police Service, and sometimes other units within and our partner agencies, are working together to resolve each of these cases for the families," she said.

"Together as a community we can accomplish great things and make true strides."