SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — A 10-year-old Summerside boy says he grew up fearing police officers, simply because he is Indigenous.
Kingston Gallant told The Guardian he has heard his mother talk about systemic racism, about how his grandfather, Don Germain, was beaten by police in another province years ago. Then the world, and Kingston, were shaken by the killing of George Floyd, the Black man who died on May 25 after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Kingston feared that the colour of his own skin would cause him problems in life.
“It was a scary time in my life," Kingston said. "My grandfather was beat up by police, and I am a Mi’kmaw. I didn’t want to go outside to play."
That was until Kingston met Const. Peter Stay of Summerside Police Services last month.
"Before I met Peter, if a police officer drove by my house, I would turn around and walk away or go in the backyard and hide. Since I’ve met Peter, when I see police drive by, I’ll stop and wave to them. I’m not afraid of them anymore.’’
Kingston’s mom, Tara-Lynn Rioux, is a social worker who has always had conversations with her children, Kingston, and her daughter, Arden, 9, about how everyone is equal, regardless of the colour of their skin. But, she has also talked to them about the prevalence of systemic racism in society.
Yet, she didn’t realize what a profound impact Floyd’s death had on Kingston. Rioux said she had to do something when her son refused to go outside.
“There were no words I could say to make him feel better,’’ Rioux said.
So, she called Summerside Police Services and described Kingston’s misgivings to the dispatcher.
“I was crying. I was pretty upset, even though I was trying to hold it together. Honestly, in my mind I was trying to process (what they could do). I thought maybe if (an officer) could just drive by and wave and we’re outside – that’s kind of what I asked. Or, if they could patrol more so my kids wouldn’t be afraid.’’
The call was relayed to Stay. The 36-year-old officer called Rioux to get more information and dropped by the family’s house within the hour.
Stay said it breaks his heart that anyone fears police officers, but he is well aware some of those fears are founded.
“Kingston has a perspective, which I don’t have. The only way I can actually learn, first of all, is to listen to his perspective and his feelings. There is no way I would ever understand (what it feels to experience racism)." — Const. Peter STay
"I mean, imagine a poor kid who doesn’t feel like he can leave his house because of the colour of his skin or because of their gender or sexuality or any of that stuff? It is so very sad, whether he is 10 years old or 60 years old, it doesn’t matter, it’s really sad. I learned just as much as Kingston did. It was a pleasure.’’
Stay and Kingston have formed a bond that Kingston’s mother, Rioux, describes as a big brother-type relationship. The officer drops by more than once a week.
“It’s been like this instant role model,’’ Rioux said. “He came as a police officer, but he came as a person first and foremost and listened to Kingston. And, Kingston reacted to him as a person. It removed that barrier. He gets excited talking about Peter.’’
Summerside Police Services Sgt. Jason Blacquiere said he’s happy Stay was able to have a positive effect on the youngster, adding that police have to do the work to build relationships with the community.
“It is saddening to hear from any segment of our community, locally or otherwise, of those fearing the police," Blacquiere said, noting he has heard from his officers they "are as angered by incident of abuse and excessive force as are the members of the public.’’
Blacquiere said there are a number of initiatives the department has created to build a bond between police and citizens — the Cops For Christmas campaign, Kids Shop With A Cop and the annual bike rodeo, to cite a few examples.
“We are also involved in coaching minor sports and sitting on the boards of a number of community-based organizations,’’ Blacquiere said. “The hope is that the members of our community get to know us as people and not just as police officers who they see only in times of crisis. These types of relationships can really help to put people at ease in times of need.’’
Rioux said despite these kinds of efforts, systemic racism still exists in society, and her son’s story isn’t meant to paint a picture that everything is suddenly right with the world.
“I know this isn’t the answer to systemic racism because that’s far bigger than this, but if we just keep going down this people-against-police road and not working together it’s going to be the same thing for the rest of our lives. It creates a divide because we’re putting those labels on those boxes.’’ — Tara-Lynn Rioux
Stay, who says any of his colleagues at Summerside Police Services would have responded as he did, agrees.
“Things won’t change overnight,’’ the officer said. “It’s one good step in the direction to bridging that gap and create an awareness (about policing) – not just for this 10-year-old boy but his mother and the general community to build from the strength (of this story) and move forward because it’s the only way. This can’t be an isolated event. It’s very important to have this (message) out there so people will feel more comfortable.’’
Kingston agrees one happy outcome won't fix a history of systemic racism, but he hopes to hear more stories like his.
“All I know is it has definitely changed my perspective on how I would normally interact with (police),’’ Kingston said. “This alone doesn’t fix everything, but it’s a step in the right direction. I was petrified of them before. After meeting Peter, I was happy and not stressed anymore. I hope other Indigenous boys and girls can meet someone like Peter some day.’’
