Aug 17/2022 Lindsay Buziak Murder Whistlerblowers-Informants and Tips
AFTER 14 LONG YEARS OF WAITING FOR JUSTICE THE 2008 MURDER OF 24-YEAR OLD LINDSAY BUZIAK REMAINS UNSOLVED.
Over the last fourteen years the Saanich Police, Victoria Police, RCMP, VIImcu, FBI have all taken a kick at trying to solve this heinous crime, yet each and every one of them has been unsuccessful. It makes a person shake their head and say, “what the hell is going on here?” Will Lindsay Buziak and her family ever see the justice they so rightfully deserve? A 2021 report shows the salary of a 3rd year police constable at $86,000 and $150,000 for a 3rd year staff sergeant.
Many of these officers hold down 2nd & 3rd jobs when they are not doing police work. Where is the integrity, drive, dedication, and commitment to police work when officers feel they need to work a 2nd job. These cops are bringing in pay cheques the average person can only dream of. Granted they risk their lives for us every time they step into the streets, however that’s no excuse for shoddy police work, and a lack of interest. Has the public picked up on the fact that policing is no longer what it used to be?
Could this be the reason the public has lost faith in the police? Is this why informants are often hesitant to approach their local police department? Is it no longer considered a safe place? If we no longer have faith in the system where are we supposed to go? Don’t get me wrong, there is one hell of a lot of good cops out there, but unfortunately there are bad ones too as we’ve all read about them in our local newspapers in the past few years. When the trust is gone, we have a serious problem!
RECENTLY The Saanich Police DepartmeNT made a statement saying they have 17 police officers and 4 civilian staff members working in integrated units at federal, provincial and local levels. They claim these are great opportunities to specialize in a variety of policing roles, dealing with issues such as road safety, homicide investigations, organized crime, mental health response, regional domestic violence, child exploitation and national security. Why are they focusing on the crimes of tomorrow, when they can’t solve the crimes of yesterday? The public needs answers but none are ever forthcoming.
It is well known that the police often refuse outside helP and that includes help from private investigation firms who have teams of highly skilled investigators who could certainly bring fresh eyes and knowledge to the case. However, we well know that police do not like to “share information” and they are also known to have big egos. Yes, police resources have been cut back over the years, and part of the reason for that is that manpower is costing way too much money, and working overtime is unheard of these days. Apparently, paying ridiculously high salaries takes precedence over quality police work and solving major crimes.
It is wonderful to see that the firm Zonta Research Group & Investigations in Vancouver has been hired to take a fresh look at the case. This was not at the request of the Saanich Police of course as they would never consider bringing in a private investigation firm. Since Zonta stepped in they have received a number of quality tips from people who believe they finally have someone they can trust with what they know about this heinous crime. More importantly, they know that their identities will forever be kept confidential, and they have finally found their safe place. If you or anyone you know has information that could be helpful in this investigation you can go to Zonta’s website and find their TIP line. Zonta’s contact information can also be found at the bottom of this page.
Crime runs rampant in our society, and just what is the psycho-social explanation for this epidemic of criminal behavior?
The public is well aware that there is little justice to be seen in a court of law. Why are criminals walking free on technicalities? Walking free because of shoddy police work? Crafty lawyers who knows all the tricks of the trade, and sometimes all it takes is a soft judge. Regardless of all these obstacles we face, we the society as a whole, have a responsibility to do our part in engaging a catalyst for change. If we can make a difference in some small way, then that is what we need to do. How many of us, at one time or another, had information that could have made a difference in some way, if we had only come forward with what we knew. Instead we chose to sit on the sidelines, like a good politician and say nothing.
To be a whistleblower takes guts, and a strong belief in what you are doing is the right thing. Whistleblowers will always stop to consider all the ramifications they could face if they come forward with information about a crime, but it does not deter them from doing what they know needs to be done Even knowing that they may have to testify in a court of law one day does not stop them.
In order to see positive changes in our communities we all need to do our part. For whatever reason, there are many people out there who do not trust the police, therefore they fear going to their local police department. However, this is not the only recourse for someone who has information about a crime, for there are other agencies that a whistleblower or an informant can reach out to.
TIP LINES is another form of communicating. A party that will take your information and guarantee your anonymity. If we really do want to make a difference we can find a way.
INFORMANTS PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE IN BRINGING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE and serve a valuable law enforcement function as they have access to certain groups and activities that traditional law enforcement and undercover agents may not have. It can lead to valuable intelligence information, search warrants and arrests. An informant may be a law-biding citizen who just happened to overhear a conversation, or they may be someone on the peripheral edge of crime who has heard something that they themselves would never have played a part in. No matter where the informant originates from, it is clear he/she has a conscience and wants to do the right thing.
Expanding whistleblower protections in British Columbia will give the government more insight into issues of concern at the public service level, says the attorney general. The protections under the Public Interest Disclosure Act were extended Friday to employees at most provincial tribunals, agencies, boards and commissions, joining about 35,000 ministry staff and workers at independent offices of the legislature, David Eby said.
Whistleblowers perform a public service and contribute to a stronger culture of compliance. They provide information about misconduct that would otherwise be difficult to detect.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act became law in in December 2019. It allows employees to share information about possible wrongdoings that affect the public interest with designated officers or the office of the Ombudsperson with reprisals.
Under the Competition Act, once the Bureau has provided an assurance of confidentiality to a whistleblower, the individual’s identity cannot be revealed without the individual’s consent. You can decide how much personal information to provide; however, if you don’t provide your name and certain other information, it may be impossible for us to respond to your request or provide you with the whistleblower protections that exist under the Competition Act.
If you have information or evidence that someone has committed or intends to commit a CRIMINAL OFFENCE under the Competition Act, you may provide the details to the Competition Bureau. Your identity will be kept strictly confidential. The information that you provide about the possible criminal offence will only be shared under four limited circumstances:
1. To inform a Canadian law enforcement agency
2. To administer or enforce the Competition Act
3. To share information that has already been made public
4. To communicate information that you agree can be shared.
Your information will be examined to determine whether it warrants further inquiry. All inquiries are conducted in privacy according to the strict confidentiality requirements under the Competition Act. There are many tools at the authorities disposal to determine the facts. And, if there is sufficient information, they may apply to the court for authorization to search premises, seize records, question witnesses under oath, and intercept private communications.
Your employer cannot dismiss, suspend, demote, discipline, harass, or otherwise disadvantage you, or deny you a benefit of employment because you provided information under the whistleblowing program that was given in good faith and that you reasonably believe to be true. Whistleblowers are also protected by other laws, including the Criminal Code, that make it an offence for an employer to take disciplinary measures, or to threaten to do so, because the employee has provided or will provide information to someone who enforces federal law.
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