Chief fires cops

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Saskatoon Police Chief Russell Sabo fired Constables Larry Hartwig and Bradley Senger on Nov. 12. The officers had been suspended with pay since just after Stonechild Inquiry Chief Commissioner Justice David Wright concluded that Neil Stonechild had been in their custody shortly before his frozen body was found in an industrial area on the outskirts of the city.

Wright did not rule specifically that the officers played a role in the 1990 death of the 17-year-old, but the chief commissioner did write in his report, which was released Oct. 26, that he did not believe the officers' testimony at the inquiry.

Sabo fired the officers for not "diligently and promptly" disclosing information that Stonechild was in their custody "as was their duty to do so."

The officers maintain they had no contact with the Native youth on the night in question, even though records say they were dispatched to a disturbance call involving Stonechild.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-chief Lawrence Joseph commended the police chief "for doing the right thing."

"There can be no doubt that dismissing constables Hartwig and Senger was the only thing to do," he said.