SUPPORT FOR 12-YEAR-OLD KOBE

On April 18th 2021, an officer with the Calgary police service assaulted and detained an innocent 12-year-old boy in a playground after they were called to a store in the community of Ogden after a group of kids reportedly stole a large quantity of ice cream and candy. When searching the area, they found two boys who "matched the description." Calgary police have since confirmed that one of the boys detained at the park didn’t actually do anything wrong.

Luckily, Kobe came away from this situation without serious physical damage to his body. Though, examination done by the children's hospital did report marks were left by the cuffs around his wrists.

The Calgary Police Service has since issued a public "apology," but this is not good enough. Officers in this city continue to harm racialized and marginalized communities without consequence, while claiming they are working towards being an anti-racist institution - this simply is not possible.

While police institutions still exist, they must understand that they work FOR the people. If there is misconduct, they must do everything they can to correct their wrongs in order to rebuild trust with the very communities they serve.

Why was there no apology made to Kobe and the family on a personal level?

Why did they not provide Kobe with mental health support and resources to properly process what has happened to him?

Why is Constable Jeff Dyck not forced to undergo further training on how to better work with the public and the communities he serves?

People often forget the mental trauma that comes along with situations such as these. Kobe will forever live with memories of this event for the rest of his life.

No child should ever have to experience this.

Inclusive Canada has setup this GoFundMe to help with legal fees, as the family will be meeting with a lawyer, and on-going mental health support for Kobe and his family. If you are unable to donate monetarily, other ways you can support include:

Send letters of support to Kobe:
P.O. Box 16078 Lower Mount Royal
Calgary, Alberta T2T 5H7

Make a complaint to the Calgary Police Service:
By phone: [phone redacted]
In-person: (must make appointment first by calling [phone redacted])
Online letter or snail mail: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/public-services/make-a-complaint-to-calgary-police.html 

We thank you for support.

PROTECT BLACK CHILDREN.