Police Accountability Files

Special Ed
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Police Accountability Files is a hard-hitting podcast hosted by Special Ed that explores high-profile police incidents, criminal investigations, court cases, civil liberties, and accountability in Canada and beyond. Through fact-based reporting, legal analysis, expert perspectives, and documented evidence, each episode examines the stories behind the headlines while encouraging listeners to think critically about policing, justice, and public trust.

  1. 3d ago

    Mandatory Alcohol Screening: No Suspicion Required

    Police Accountability Files – Episode 22: Mandatory AlcoholScreening: No Suspicion Required Can policedemand a breath sample from a driver without suspecting that theyhave been drinking? In Canada, the answer is yes—under certainlegal conditions. In Episode22 of Police Accountability Files, host Special Ed examinesMandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS), the controversiallaw that allows police to demand a preliminary breath sample from adriver during a lawful traffic stop, even when there is no reasonablesuspicion of alcohol consumption. We explorethe Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the legal battle oversuspicion-free roadside breath testing, and the Saskatchewan Court ofAppeal’s decision in R. v. Wright. We also explain why theSupreme Court of Canada’s decision to refuse leave to appeal didnot amount to a ruling on the constitutional merits of the case. Thisepisode examines the difference between a lawful traffic stop and abreath-testing demand, the potential consequences of refusing ademand, Alberta’s impaired-driving penalties, and the questionsmandatory screening raises about privacy, police discretion, andcivil liberties. Cana law designed to make roads safer justify breath testing withoutindividualized suspicion? And what safeguards are needed toensure police powers are exercised fairly? JoinSpecial Ed for a critical look at the balance between public safetyand individual rights in Canada. PoliceAccountability Files — Real Cases. Public Questions. PoliceAccountability. Use "ACAB20" at LIQURE.com and save 20% on your order

    Mandatory Alcohol Screening: No Suspicion Required

  2. Oct 23

    Edmonton Police's Bid to Restrict Disclosure of Misconduct Records

    Police Accountability Files — Episode 21: Edmonton Police'sBid to Restrict Disclosure of Misconduct Records Whathappens when a police detective has a history of misconduct—and thepolice service tries to prevent that information from being disclosedin a criminal case? In Episode21, host Special Ed examines the landmark Supreme Court of Canadadecision in Edmonton Police Service v. McKee, released June26, 2026. The case involved John McKee, who faced drug and weaponscharges following an investigation led by Edmonton police detectiveJared Ruecker. The detective had a previous misconduct finding thathad been removed from his disciplinary record under Albertaregulations. TheEdmonton Police Service resisted disclosure, but the Supreme Courtunanimously dismissed its appeal, reaffirming that relevant policemisconduct information must be provided to the Crown forassessment—even when the record has been administratively removed. Thisepisode explores: Should a police service beallowed to decide what the defence can know about an investigatingofficer—or should that decision follow the rules of a fair trial? Join Special Ed for an in-depth lookat a Supreme Court ruling with significant implications for policeaccountability and Canada's justice system. Police Accountability Files —Real cases. Public questions. Police accountability.

    Edmonton Police's Bid to Restrict Disclosure of Misconduct Records

  3. Oct 18

    Guelph, Ontario: The Officer on Paid Leave Since 2016

    Police Accountability Files – Episode 20: Guelph, OntarioOfficer on Paid Leave Since 2016 How can apolice disciplinary case stretch across nearly a decade—and howmuch does it cost taxpayers? In Episode20 of Police Accountability Files, host Special Ed examinesthe case of Guelph Police Constable Corey McArthur, whosedisciplinary proceedings began after he elbowed a handcuffed17-year-old boy at a hospital in September 2016. McArthur pleadedguilty to criminal assault and discreditable conduct, and theincident led to years of hearings and appeals. In July2026, a second disciplinary hearing ordered McArthur to resign orface dismissal. He appealed that decision, continuing a case that hasraised serious questions about police accountability, public trust,and the cost of lengthy disciplinary proceedings. Thisepisode explores: When an officer admits tomisconduct, how long should it take for the system to reach a finaldecision—and who should be accountable for the cost? Join Special Ed for an in-depth lookat a case that raises difficult questions about police discipline,procedural fairness, public money, and confidence in law enforcement. Police Accountability Files —Real cases. Public questions. Police accountability.

    Guelph, Ontario: The Officer on Paid Leave Since 2016

  4. Oct 13

    Wellness Checks Gone Wrong

    Police Accountability Files – Episode 19: Wellness ChecksGone Wrong Whensomeone is experiencing a mental health crisis, a wellness check issupposed to protect lives—not put them at risk. But what happenswhen a call for help ends in violence, serious injury, or death? In Episode19 of Police Accountability Files, hosted by Special Ed, weexamine troubling Canadian cases involving police wellness checks,including the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi, and theassault of nursing student Mona Wang by an RCMP officer in Kelowna,British Columbia. We exploreconcerns raised by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission forthe RCMP about officers using a “command and control” approachwhen dealing with people in crisis. We also examine policede-escalation, use-of-force policies, accountability, andrecommendations for alternatives that put mental health professionalsat the forefront when police intervention is not necessary. Whensomeone calls for help, should the first response be about enforcingcompliance—or protecting that person’s well-being? JoinSpecial Ed for a hard-hitting look at the cases, the oversightfindings, and the difficult questions Canada must confront aboutpolicing and mental health. PoliceAccountability Files — examining the incidents, the evidence,and the questions that demand answers.

    Wellness Checks Gone Wrong

  5. Oct 8

    Officers Leaving Their Jobs While Under Investigation

    Episode 18 Description — Officers Leaving Jobs While UnderInvestigation In Episode 18 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines what happens whenpolice officers resign or retire while facing a misconductinvestigation. The episode focuses on reporting that88 officers with the Edmonton Police Service and CalgaryPolice Service left their positions while under investigation between2012 and 2023. It explores what that number does—and doesnot—tell us, the difference between an allegation and a finding ofmisconduct, and the challenges that can arise when an officer leavesbefore a disciplinary process is completed. The episode also looks at Alberta'spolice oversight system, the role of independent investigations,officers' procedural rights, complainants' rights, and the ongoingquestion of whether an investigation should continue even after anofficer leaves the job. When an officer leaves, doesaccountability leave with them? Real incidents. Realquestions. Real accountability.

    Officers Leaving Their Jobs While Under Investigation

  6. Oct 3

    POLICE OFFICERS: NOT IN THE TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS JOBS

    Episode 17 Description — Police Officers: Not in the Top 10Most Dangerous Jobs in Canada In Episode 17 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the claim thatpolice officers have one of the most dangerous jobs in Canada. This episode focuses specifically onCanadian data, looking at what Statistics Canadareports about Canada's police workforce and examining howoccupational danger should be measured. In 2023, Canada had 71,472police officers, including 7,977 in Alberta,according to Statistics Canada. The episode also explores animportant question: Do Canadian statistics actually supportthe claim that policing is among Canada's ten most dangerousoccupations? Rather than relying on slogans or assumptions,the episode looks at fatal workplace injuries, occupational risk,police-related dangers, and the limitations of comparing differentoccupations. Canadian data. Realquestions. Police accountability.

    POLICE OFFICERS: NOT IN THE TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS JOBS

  7. Sep 28

    THE ALBERTA PROVINCIAL POLICE: 1917–1932

    Episode 16 Description — The Alberta Provincial Police1917–1932 In Episode 16 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed takes a look at theforgotten history of the Alberta Provincial Police,the force that policed Alberta from 1917 to 1932. The episode explores the APP'screation, prohibition enforcement, battles with bootleggers,corruption allegations, labour disputes, the death of ConstableStephen Lawson, and the force's eventual end during the GreatDepression. It also examines what the APP'shistory can teach us about police independence, governmentcontrol, corruption, public trust, and accountability—andwhy Alberta's first provincial police force remains relevant totoday's debate over policing in the province. Real history. Real questions.Real accountability. Check out my sponsor: Liqure.com and use promo code ACAB20 to get 20% off

    THE ALBERTA PROVINCIAL POLICE: 1917–1932

  8. Sep 23

    THE RCMP AND THE FREEDOM CONVOY

    Episode 15 Description — The RCMP and the Freedom Convoy In Episode 15 of PoliceAccountability Files, Special Ed examines the RCMP’s roleduring the 2022 Freedom Convoy, one of the mostcontroversial public-order events in recent Canadian history. This episode explores the protests inOttawa, the border blockades at Coutts and Windsor, RCMP intelligenceoperations, police coordination, the seizure of firearms at Coutts,and the federal government’s decision to invoke the EmergenciesAct. We also examine the findings of thePublic Order Emergency Commission and the RCMP’s own after-actionreview, asking difficult questions about police powers, protestrights, intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, andaccountability. Who was responsible forwhat—and what lessons should Canada learn from the Freedom Convoy? Real events. Difficultquestions. Police accountability.

    THE RCMP AND THE FREEDOM CONVOY
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About

Police Accountability Files is a hard-hitting podcast hosted by Special Ed that explores high-profile police incidents, criminal investigations, court cases, civil liberties, and accountability in Canada and beyond. Through fact-based reporting, legal analysis, expert perspectives, and documented evidence, each episode examines the stories behind the headlines while encouraging listeners to think critically about policing, justice, and public trust.

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