VANCOUVER—An RCMP communications lag may have given a head start to two men suspected in three deaths in northern British Columbia, say experts in law enforcement and missing-persons cases. News that Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, made it through a First Nations checkpoint — the day before they were named as suspects — sparked criticism that quicker and more thorough communications with Indigenous communities could have shortened what is now an 11-day manhunt.At the root of the criticism is the sometimes fraught relationship between the Mounties and First Nations. In northern Manitoba, problems became evident when authorities brought in the military and drones to search for the men, said Naomi Sayers, an expert in Indigenous law. “You could tell that there was very little engagement with the actual communities,” said Sayers in a phone interview Friday. “Drones are a new technology, but relationship building isn’t. We’re using drones, we’re using planes — where are the people? People who are from communities know the land very well. People who have trap lines know the land very well and if you ask them, they can help you navigate that.”Schmegelsky and McLeod are charged with second-degree murder in the death of Leonard Dyck, whose body was found south of Dease Lake two kilometres from the burning truck the two had been driving. They are also suspects in the deaths of Australian Lucas Fowler and American Chynna Deese. The couple was found shot to death on the side of the Alaska Highway on July 15. Read more:How gaps in information relayed by law enforcement let two B.C. murder suspects slip across the country unnoticedOntario police assign investigations team for manhunt tips, issue public safety warningManhunt Day 10: Ontario police warn against posting tips online following Kapuskasing frenzySayers said a relationship between Mounties and First Nations built on trust could have laid th ...
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