Suspended CPS officer continues vaccine rebellion with appearance at 'freedom protest'
A Calgary Police Service officer who recently compared vaccine mandates with religious and racist prosecution that led to the death of more than 6 million Jews during the Holocaust took his views to an anti-immunization rally.
Organizers say it was part of an ongoing series of "Freedom Protests," where Albertans gather to speak out against vaccines, restrictions and what many believe to be a fake virus being used to trick people into receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Const. Brian Denison took the podium Sunday afternoon, speaking about a battle he believes attendees are fighting.
"It's a war, and we will win this war," he said to loud cheering. "Stand up and be who you are, and don't let anyone say otherwise. You are on the right side of this."
Denison doubled down on controversial Holocaust views and claimed some of his colleagues also attended the rally.
"I am not the only Calgary Police officer. I just have to be the face," he said. "There's more out there."
Denison was recently suspended with pay over a September video he created while in uniform. During the rant's extended runtime, the officer called the CPS vaccine mandate "very reminiscent of many years ago during the World War that Hitler was perpetrating against the Jews."
The vast majority of medical and scientific experts say COVID-19 vaccines have not only helped slow the virus spread, but prevented an increasing number of deaths across the world.
"Just start taking a look at some of the correlations there between what has happened (in 1940s Germany) and what is happening," the officer said.
As recently as 2012, Denison was a member of the CPS Hate Crimes Unit.
According to his employer, he has been suspended for failing to comply with the service's pandemic policy. That policy says all officers must be fully immunized or face regular COVID-19 testing.
CPS says it is also "pursuing relief from duty without pay under the provisions of Alberta's Police Act."
The police chief has not publicly commented on the matter, and no specific disciplinary timeline has been given.
As a result of the situation, Denison was given an extended break from his duties.
The open schedule has allowed him to be interviewed by The Western Standard, where he called the mandate a "travesty to justice."
Denison spoke at length about the policy, saying he knows "a lot of (officers) within CPS that did not want to partake in that.
"I think that my stance is what is right in this world," he said.
Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra sits on the Calgary Police Commission.
"The tone from the top is missing for me right now, with regard to our police service," he told CTV News on Dec. 3.
"It's a free country, but if you are taking a public salary to be at the forefront of public safety as a public servant and you want to espouse those views, there's a serious problem," he said. "That's a conversation that we need to have as a commission, with our police chief and our police service."
Leighton Grey also took the podium at Sunday's event.
Grey is an outspoken lawyer who has been criticized for his extreme views regarding the pandemic.
He also recently represented Calgary pastor Tim Stephens, who was charged for violating Alberta's public health orders earlier this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, a popular leader renowned for his affable personality and dedicated public service, has died
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
Air Canada to add new routes to U.S., Europe and North Africa in summer 2025
Getting to destinations in the U.S., Europe and North Africa is about to get easier, as Air Canada announced it will be increasing flights to a number of new destinations this summer.
2-year-old gorilla 'Eyare' dies unexpectedly at Calgary Zoo
A young gorilla at the Calgary Zoo has died. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced a member of its western lowland gorilla troop passed away unexpectedly, in a news release Tuesday.
History in Halifax is slowly being wiped off the map: study
Saint Mary's University archeologist Jonathan Fowler is sounding an alarm with a new study. According to Fowler, the centuries-old architecture that adds to Halifax’s heritage and historic vibe is slowly being wiped away as the city grows.
Quebec officer suspended 15 days for throwing away piece of victim's skull
A Quebec provincial police officer has been suspended for 15 days without pay after throwing part of a young motorcycle accident victim's skull into a ravine in 2021.
Alleged serial killer previously pled guilty to 2018 attack on Waterloo, Ont. bus
The woman accused of killing three people in three days in three Ontario cities also previously admitted to attacking strangers on buses in the Region of Waterloo.