The family of James Wood, who died after a police encounter, is calling out systemic racism and brutality

James Wood's family is calling for his death to be a catalyst for change in the Winnipeg police service so “as local people we don't die when we call for services or support.”

“We are asking the public to recognize the need for police reform to address the systemic biases and excessive use of force that affect marginalized communities,” Wood's father, Brian, said in his first public appearance at a press conference on Friday. with his wife, Carol, by his side.

The couple wore shirts bearing Wood's image, as did many of their supporters.

“Losing a child is something no parent can prepare for, but losing a child to a violent encounter with law enforcement adds to the pain,” Brian said.

“Fighting for accountability is our duty as grieving parents.”

Wood, 35, died Jan. 27 after coming into contact with police in Crestview, west of Winnipeg.

The woman who called police for help said her boyfriend was drunk and worried about the safety of her three children at a news conference the day after Police Chief Danny Smith Wood died.

The woman called back and said the man had fallen down the stairs from his second-floor apartment and was lying in the snow at the bottom of the stairs.

Another caller said a man had pulled into the parking lot of an apartment complex and was lying on the ground.

Smith said police handcuffed Wood, but he became unresponsive as they began to take him to a police car. The officers called 911 and administered first aid until paramedics arrived, Smith said.

Those accounts were disputed by several witnesses who told CBC News that police used excessive force. They say the officers yelled at Wood to calm down and relax, hit him with a baton and stunned him with a Taser gun.

SEE | James Wood's parents speak publicly for the first time since his death:

Wood was pronounced dead at the hospital on Saturday.

Manitoba's Independent Investigations Unit, which investigates all serious police-related matters in the province, is investigating the incident.

Wood's family said they have limited information to share about the incident because the investigation is ongoing.

Brian called it “an unspeakable tragedy that calls for justice and systemic change.” He said the purpose of Friday's press conference was to mourn, but also “to shine a light on the deeper issues in society that led to this devastating loss.”

Without accountability structures in place to enforce consequences against those who abuse their power, the violence will continue, said Hilda Anderson-Peertz, a relative of Wood's and president of the MMIWG, a national family and survivor group that advocates for families and gender differences. and racial violence.

SEE | According to the witnesses, the police used unnecessary force to answer the drunk man:

“Our human rights as indigenous people in this country are constantly violated and violated. We continue to experience loss after loss, tragedy after tragedy. Our hearts are constantly broken,” he said.

“This country needs the political will to make transformative changes so that when we as Indigenous people call for services or support, we don't die.”

Calls for reform were made at the press conference

Anderson-Piertz called on Canadian lawmakers to pass legislation banning discriminatory practices such as racial profiling and mandating the use of body cameras by officers to increase transparency. He also wants the videos preserved and reviewed by an independent body.

A national database should be created to track police misconduct and prevent redeployment of officers involved in other jurisdictions, he said.

And he encouraged police departments to hire officers from diverse backgrounds to reflect the communities in which they work.

“We demand responsibility from those who took an oath to protect and serve. The time for silence and complacency has passed,” he said.

“The fight against systemic racism and police brutality is not a battle that can be won alone. It requires the collective efforts of all those who believe in justice and equality.”

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said in a statement to CBC News that his department is “engaging in a number of initiatives that directly address the issues raised by the Wood family.”

Wiebe said in a statement that his department is working to finalize the first phase of police guidelines that include standards for “high-risk” investigations into missing persons and deaths. The statement said it was a first for the province and that the standards would apply to all police agencies.

The statement also said the provincial government is looking at ways to “standardize and improve police training,” including best practices in de-escalation and cultural education.

Wiebe told Manitoba Justice that a new director of Indigenous and Community Relations has been hired.

The position was created after significant work with Manitoba Keevatinowi Okimakanak and the Southern Chiefs Organization, the release said. The position is intended to help increase the transparency of IIU investigations, the release said.

Additionally, the IIU told CBC News that the police watchdog's investigative team could be made up of current or former members of the country's police service or former members of the RCMP, but no current members of any police force employed by the police. guard.

The statement also said the current IIU investigation team consists of eight investigators, two team commanders and one director of investigations. The current team includes former police officers and civilians with investigative experience.

It should be noted that all investigators must meet the prescribed qualifications and experience, the report said.

Chief Shirley Ducharme of the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, Wood's home community about 130 kilometers north of Thompson, said governments should prioritize cultural competency and mental health training for law enforcement officers.

“A lack of understanding, empathy and knowledge of our cultures and histories contributes to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and biases,” she said.

Mental health training can help officers de-escalate situations involving people in crisis and prevent unnecessary use of force, Ducharme said.

“It's not an isolated incident (with Wood). This is a deep-rooted problem that requires immediate attention and comprehensive solutions.”