That Lonely Section of Hell by Lorimer Shenher

Lorimer Shenher's memoire That Lonely Section of Hell, shines a light onto one officer's struggle to do his job, and fulfil this role. Here's a summary from Goodreads.com:

In That Lonely Section of Hell, police detective Lori Shenher describes her role in Vancouver’s infamous Missing and Murdered Women Investigation and her years-long struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of her work on the case. From her first assignment in 1998 to explore an increase in the number of missing women to the harrowing 2002 interrogation of convicted serial killer Robert Pickton, Shenher tells a story of massive police failure—failure of the police to use the information about Pickton available to them, failure to understand the dark world of drug addiction and sex work, and failure to save more women from their killer. That Lonely Section of Hell passionately pursues the deeper truths behind the causes of this tragedy and the myriad ways the system failed to protect vulnerable women.

I found this book to be well written and well organized albeit the events themselves are very tragic  and profoundly troubling.

When I think of a Police Force, I imagine a big team that is working to fight crime and keep our streets safe.  I know that police are tasked with investigating crimes, and tracking down perpetrators. Their suppose is to serve and protect.

Here is a good CBC article on this case:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/robert-pickton-case-torments-former-detective-lori-shenher-1.3223349

Based on this belief, I found this memoire disturbing for many reasons, and it left me with many questions:

How are departmental priorities established? Who decides where the budget gets spent and who deserves more or less resources? Under the microscope of the media, there is undoubtedly pressure to generate quick results and provide answers when the questions are asked.  The Lonely Section of Hell shows that in reality, some segments of the population receive more resources than others. The level of attention to the crimes, depends on who the victim is. In this case, poor populations of marginalized women fell to the bottom of the priority list.

What avenues exist to officers who need help with systematic miscarriages of justice? Who is there to help when the police are the ones that are not helping? As we find out, officers who speak their minds about inequities and injustices have their future career progression limited.

Why, in this day and age of hyper connectivity, can police agencies not work together more effectively on investigations that are wide reaching? The RCMP and Vancouver Police Department were guarded with the own information; not willing to share details of their separate investigations. RCMP and the VPD were negligent of cooperating together in this case, and I suspect that this continues to be the case in other investigations that bridge common jurisdictional ground.

Detective Shenher was trained and coached by supportive officers prior to his tasking to the Missing
Persons office. Why did their support run out, and where were they when he needed more resources?

I also question whether Robert Pickton was not investigated sooner because his family owned large amounts of land in and around the lower mainland. It is mentioned several times that he was on the police radar for hosting parties with nefarious activities. Why then, was there a lack of attention on the Pickton property? It is suggested that the police suspected illegal activity taking place on his property. Did the Charter limit and shape the (lack of) investigation?

I commend Mr. Shenher for not making Pickton the central focus of her writing. He is very calculated in not fuelling his notoriety and avoids providing the gruesome and lascivious details of his killing. His book is about the investigation and the failing.

This memoire also contains letters from the author to some of the Pickton victims. These letters provide insight into Mr. Shenher's frustration, regret and compassion. Through these letters, we gain and understanding of his feeling of futility and despair.

Detective Lorimer Shenher: An Honourable Officer

I am left asking whether there have been significant improvements to this broken system, and whether there aren't remaining gaps in our criminal justice system that continue to allow marginalized people to be victimized. I know the answer to this question. It is a sobering and miserable conclusion.

Just this week, PTSD has been acknowledged as a legitimate condition that requires Police services need to take care of PTSD and acknowledge the value of their officers after they have been harmed. As we learn from this memoire, the harm that causes PTSD can originate both from external, societal events and internal, police forces abuses. Victimization happens on the outside, and from within. Sobering and thought provoking.

I am glad Mr. Shenher is now focusing his efforts on helping those who want to be helped and appreciate all of his efforts as a personal trainer. I wish him peace and personal satisfaction in the future. Here is his website for a glimpse into his ongoing endeavours: http://www.lorishenher.com
The best is yet to come...Stay brave and keep going. The world need more honourable people like Lori Shenher.