Probation for Mountie Who Ordered Witnesses to Destroy Evidence | The Tyee

A former Prince George Mountie will avoid jail after being found to have obstructed justice by asking bystanders to delete cellphone footage of the arrest of Dale Culver, a First Nations man who later died in police custody.

Arthur Dalman was sentenced to 18 months’ probation on Monday, meaning he will avoid prison but not a criminal record. A B.C. provincial court judge rejected a request for a conditional discharge, saying Dalman’s actions deserved consequences, citing their impact on the public trust of police officers — especially in cases involving Indigenous people.

“His behaviour not only eroded confidence in the justice system but also contributed to deepened mistrust between Indigenous people and the RCMP at a time when efforts towards reconciliation must be an essential priority,” Judge Michael Fortino said.

Dalman was a junior RCMP officer with less than six months’ experience when he responded to another officer’s call for emergency support in downtown Prince George on the evening of July 18, 2017.