A constable with the Edmonton Police Service made an emotional video expressing her support for the “Freedom Convoy,” while also addressing the Ottawa police officers who are being put in a tight spot in the current protest.
Elena Golysheva, an immigrant who has been a police officer for 17 years, said it saddened her to see the freedom of Canadians eroding by the day.
“I fought to come here to have it, and it was very difficult to see it to be taken away.”
Golysheva has since been placed on administrative leave, according to a media statement by the Edmonton Police Service on Feb. 15, which said an investigation into the matter is being conducted by the the force’s professional standards branch.
The officer, who was wearing her uniform in the video, commended the truckers and their supporters who are currently protesting against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. The protests in Ottawa began on Jan. 29 and have continued ever since.
“Thank you truckers, thank you farmers, thank you people with open hearts and clear minds for standing up,” she said.
Golysheva also addressed to her counterparts in Ottawa regarding the importance of using their own discretion when they are being put in difficult positions in light of the current protest.
“You have been asked a lot right now. You’ve been asked to be leaders, and make your decision in a situation that is hard for everyone,” she said.
She stressed that in her years of service, she was never told to follow “unlawful” orders and was always reminded by her supervisors to ask questions if she thinks the orders are “unlawful” or “unsafe,” and to make her own decisions on the ground.
“I had to make my decision based on my observations and information that I saw,” she said. “It’s like any other investigation, based on thorough collection of facts and evidence and then making your subjective decision based on your experience, your knowledge, the person’s history.”
She said she knows what decision to take if she is “asked to follow an unlawful order.”
“I’m for freedom of choice, for freedom of conscience, for freedom of speech, for freedom of expression, for freedom of communication,” she said.
“And I am to serve, protect, and to help out you, people in Canada.”
The Ambassador Bridge protest in Windsor ended on Feb. 13.
