The RCMP handle the investigations of their own in-custody deaths, a number reaching 22 in the past 4 years. All findings are kept secret for review in case of possible charges being laid.

But here is where the questions start. According to the press release issued that same day at 3 pm, Ian had become "violent" and "attacked" the officer while being released. A fight occurred between the two and Ian wound up dead. Why would someone turn violent when being released? Had Ian been provoked?

Constable Paul Koester had only graduated from the RCMP depot in Saskatoon 4 days before moving to Houston on May 20, 2005. Ian was alone with Constable Koester when the shooting occurred. There was no video camera turned on to record what happened and no one else was in the detachment at that time. Only two people know what really happened that night and one of them is dead.

While wanting to show fairness, the RCMP are having the New Westminister Police review their findings and investigation procedures before giving the report to Crown Counsel for consideration of possible charges. This is in spite of the fact that the RCMP are investigating the New Westminister Police over their own questionable police shooting.

Someone mysteriously removed the small memorial set up behind the RCMP detachment that had flowers, candles and various pictures of Ian throughout his life. On the 29th of every month, family members and friends arrive to say a prayer and to remember Ian. While the RCMP deny taking it down and are treating the complaint as a theft, suspicions abound.

Could a police force investigating into the actions of one of their own have the capability of bending the story to corroborate with the findings? How will we ever know? And the longer it takes to get questions answered, the more the community's faith in the RCMP slips away. I know my own belief has been badly shaken.

Meanwhile, Const. Koester is still working. He's in Kamloops experiencing a "...graduated return to work." Between that and the words "violent" and "attacked" used in their press release, I get the impression that the RCMP have already decided which way the outcome will swing. The sad thing is Ian will never give his side of the story.