COVID FREEDOM HEROES — a Western Standard seven-part series is recognizing individuals and groups from the legal, law enforcement and medical establishment, along with everyday people who stood up for Canadians' rights and freedoms during the COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates..Part 5 of the series is centered on the efforts of several people in law enforcement who questioned the vaccine mandates and whether what they were being ordered to do was violating the oaths they took to serve and protect. Two of those people include former Calgary Police Service (CPS) Const. Brian Denison and Cpl. Daniel Bulford, a former member of the RCMP..Denison — a 24-year CPS veteran — said early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn't see the fallout experts had predicted. He said when the vaccine mandates and mandatory testing policies were put in place, he was not willing to comply with either. .Denison was part of a group called Frontline for Freedom on the messaging platform Signal that consisted of "CPS sworn and civilian members.".In late September 2021, Denison recorded a video with the intention of sharing it within his Signal group. He eventually posted the video to the group in early December and someone within the group outed him and the video. ."That's who it was meant for, that's who I was speaking to," said Denison.."It reached many, many, many other people and I've been told it gave a lot of people hope and courage to stand up because they saw an in-uniform police officer saying the same things they were feeling." .Denison said he has no regrets for the video and said one of the people who influenced him to make his stand was Bulford, who had been speaking out publicly in the fall of 2021 expressing his concerns over the mandates and lockdowns while being an active member of the RCMP. .Bulford — a former sniper and bodyguard with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s security detail — grew up in Alberta and first joined the RCMP there before moving out east. .He said his wife encouraged him to look into "some of the information that was coming out in regards to the mRNA products specifically." .That lead Bulford into what he called his "open-source investigation" into the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. He was also concerned to learn about the suppression of treatment for COVID-19.."Practicing physicians, some of them being the most credentialled experts in their field in the history of the world, were being vilified and attacked, and even threatened and disciplined just for trying to come up with protocols to help treat and save people," said Bulford. ."That was the big tripwire for me," he said, adding, "I knew something was wrong." .Bulford said he first joined a group called Police On Guard, and through that he learned about and joined Mounties for Freedom. While he was part of these groups, Bulford said members drafted an open letter to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki requesting "an investigation into the COVID response and the mandates." .That's when Bulford began to speak publicly about his concerns which ultimately lead him to resign from the RCMP in December 2021. .He confirmed he participated in the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa that took place for the first three weeks of February as head of security before it was forcefully broken up by several hundred law enforcement officers. ."Everything that we were working on was ... ensuring public and police safety," said Bulford..Not only was he responsible for communications with the police at the protest, he was also responsible for "triaging information that was coming in from all kinds of different sources." .Bulford said after he received information suggesting there was going to be an attempt to plant weapons within the convoy group to "destroy the reputation and vilify the convoy participants," he notified the police and posted a public announcement, which was covered by the Western Standard. .Bulford said he is now in the process of preparing to move back to Alberta and continues to be active with Mounties for Freedom. .Both Bulford and Denison said they would not return to law enforcement. .Bulford said he feels the RCMP has turned into the "private police of the prime minister" and said that's not what he joined the RCMP for. Denison said he has "lost respect for the leaders" in law enforcement. .Denison said he is still speaking publicly and will continue to do so and is enjoying a simpler life now. He said leaders need to start listening to what Canadian's want and he will "continue to champion" for that, calling it his "new job." .Here is a timeline of events where law enforcement personnel, including Denison and Bulford, stood up and spoke out against actions they felt were contrary to their beliefs and commitments to serve and protect:.May 14, 2021 – Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) officer Nathan Lynchuk, who attended a rally with his kids, was told he was not allowed to come back to work after being spotted and reported by other on-duty SPS officers at the rally..The April 24 outdoor event, which contravened public health orders, was billed as a “Children‘s Freedom Rally” in Saskatoon’s Kiwanis Park. A poster for the event said it featured hula hoops, jump rope, bubbles, and a magician..Lynchuk said he decided to quit and “go out on my terms” before the SPS “could make an example of me.”.READ MORE: Saskatoon cop breaks ranks and quits after attending family freedom rally.June 8, 2021 – Hundreds of serving and retired police officers from across Canada joined forces to battle COVID-19 restrictions with the help of the group Police On Guard For Thee..The group was started in December 2020 by two Ontario police officers, Const. Chris Vandenbos and Det. Matt Blacklaws. The organization consisted of active and retired police officers dedicated to upholding the Canadian Constitution..The group hired Toronto lawyer Rocco Galati and filed a motion in Ontario’s Supreme Court to seek an injunction against provincial COVID-19 regulations..READ MORE: Hundreds of police officers band together to fight COVID regulations.October 22, 2021 – Police On Guard, at the time had grown to more than 1,000 serving and retired law enforcement officers..Police On Guard administrator Clay Farnsworth was the point man for the legal action the group was looking to take against the COVID mandates..In an interview with the Western Standard, Farnsworth said the group was hoping to recruit more people to help support the legal action and invited “any federal employee who wants to challenge these mandates legally,” to join the application..READ MORE: Legal action looming for Canadian police fighting vaccination mandate.December 3, 2021 - Denison was seen in a video that went viral in early December 2021. He said he made the video months earlier, and only intended it to reach a select number of CPS officers, however, it somehow was made public.. Const. Brian DenisonConst. Brian Denison .In the video, while in full uniform and sitting in his police cruiser, Denison shared the emotional turmoil he was dealing with as he faced losing his job for refusing the COVID-19 vaccination one year before he was set to retire..“I have to choose between getting this miracle jab the government is touting or possibly lose my job,” Denison said in the 10-minute video..Like numerous organizations, the CPS brought in a mandatory vaccine policy and all officers had until December 1 to receive two jabs..He called vaccine programs around the world a “farce” and described the segregation of society into two camps — the vaccinated and the unvaccinated — as similar to Hitler’s “Nazi regime.".“Twenty-four years ago, I took an oath that I’d uphold the law and part of that is what I’m doing today. I’m standing up and I’m now allowing myself to take part in this sham, this illegal activity they are doing,” Denison said..In a later Facebook post, Denison said he had been suspended with pay November 6. .READ MORE: WATCH: Calgary police officer gives emotional statement on losing career after refusing jab.December 10, 2021 – A week following the unintended release of Denison’s video — which went viral — the suspended CPS officer faced backlash from government-funded media outlets for his comments comparing the segregation of society into vaccinated and unvaccinated to that of Hitler’s Nazi regime..Denison broke his silence and sat down with the Western Standard for an exclusive interview..READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Suspended Calgary cop breaks silence.December 23, 2021 – Denison was charged with insubordination and discreditable conduct for openly opposing the CPS’ mandatory vaccine policy in the video that was widely circulated earlier that December. .Denison spoke again with the Western Standard for an update to discuss how everything had unfolded and his vilification by the media..READ MORE: WATCH: Exclusive update with former Calgary cop after resigning from CPS and harsh criticism from media. RCMP mountieRCMP mountie .January 5, 2022 – Cpl. Richard Mehner, a 21-year RCMP veteran, was put on leave without pay for refusing to comply with the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates..Mehner shared his thoughts in an open letter posted on the Mounties for Freedom website and said he saw a “very stark contrast” in what he was seeing day-to-day versus what was being conveyed on TV..READ MORE: Suspended RCMP officer calls out ‘fearmongering’ in open letter.January 25, 2022 – Durham police officer Const. Erin Howard, who posted a minute-long video supporting the truckers Freedom Convoy while in uniform, called what the truckers were doing “incredible.”.“You’re fighting for our rights and freedoms and right now it feels like we’re a little bit at war and those rights and freedoms are at stake. So, you guys are honestly true heroes,” said Howard in her video..Howard said she would be in Ottawa when the truckers arrived to speak on behalf of Police on Guard. The post lead to the start of an internal investigation against Howard..READ MORE: WATCH: Durham police officer under investigation for supporting trucker convoy. Nick MotychaNick Motycha, CPS officer .February 8, 2022 – Calgary police officer Nick Motycha — a 10-year veteran with the CPS — took to social media and said he was disgusted with the way officers were being used by politicians at the trucker’s Freedom Convoy in Ottawa..“Today was a hard day for me. Something was taken away from me that I can never get back,” said Motycka, who also previously served with the RCMP for six years..“What I saw was the police doing politicians dirty work like hired goons.”.“This goes against every reason why I chose this mostly thankless, difficult, traumatizing career with terrible hours.”.READ MORE: WATCH: Calgary officer says politicians using police as ‘hired goons’. Police officer pictureAnonymous police officer shares a message .February 10, 2022 – Police officers and firefighters from Edmonton and Calgary posed in photos showing their disdain for vaccine mandates following several officers posting videos slamming the forced vaccination policies..Members did not identify themselves but included details about who they are and how long they served in their positions, many including the hashtag #standwithbrian referring to Cpl. Brian Denison. .READ MORE: PHOTOS: First responders decry vaccine mandates.February 11, 2022 – Army Major Stephen Chledowski, an active senior officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), posted a video while in full uniform slamming the federal government for its “tyrannical” suppression of basic human rights..The 21-year veteran who served in several missions, including in Afghanistan, said the federal government “knowingly and repeatedly violated the highest law of the land” to coerce Canadians to get the COVID-19 vaccines..People “have the right to be able to make informed medical choices, especially for their little children,” Chledowski said. He called it a “crime” to refer to the vaccines as safe..READ MORE: UPDATED WATCH: Army officer facing major trouble for breaking ranks to bash feds over pandemic mandates.Feb 15, 2022 – Bulford released a video warning the recent theft of 2,000 firearms could be planted in Ottawa to thwart peaceful protests by the Freedom Convoy.. Daniel BulfordDaniel Bulford .A video of Bulford speaking at a November event put on by the Canadian Covid Care Alliance, a body of independent Canadian doctors, scientists, and health care practitioners committed to providing balanced evidence-based information about COVID-19, was widely circulated at the time. .During the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, Bulford was head of security for protesters. He resigned from his position with the RCMP in November in objection to the mandates brought forward by the federal government..READ MORE: WATCH: Ex-RCMP officer warns guns may be planted at Ottawa protest by ‘nefarious elements’.February 26, 2022 – CAF veteran James Topp, who served in the forces for 28 years, began a march from Vancouver to Ottawa on February 20 in protest of the federal vaccine mandates..Topp said he was disturbed as a result of witnessing people coerced out of work while being disparaged by officials, the media, and popular culture as a whole for making their own decision..“To say that I won’t stand for it is not an accurate description,” said Topp, adding, “I am going to stand against it with every fibre of my body.”.READ MORE: WATCH: Canadian veteran walking from Vancouver to Ottawa to protest mandates.April 1, 2022 – Topp reached the one quarter mark on his trans-Canada march to Ottawa in protest of the vaccine mandates with an anticipated arrival of some point in June..The Western Standard caught up with Topp for an update while walking on an Alberta highway east of Calgary..READ MORE: WATCH: Canadian forces vet on protest march is still in Topp form. James ToppJames Topp .May 12, 2022 – The Department of National Defence (DND) told the Western Standard Topp was "facing two charges under the National Defence Act section 129, Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline" in relation to making public comments criticizing Government of Canada policies..READ MORE: WATCH: Canadian veteran Topp charged for public protests against vax mandates.Topp posted a video on social media on February 13 where he was seen in uniform while speaking out against the vaccine mandates. The reservist, now on unpaid administrative leave with the RCMP, said he was aware of the charges months ago, and said he was confused why it took so long for the DND to announce them..READ MORE: Topp says he knew of DND charges against him months ago.May 31, 2022 – Topp and CAF member Shannon Jones filed an application in Federal Court for an injunction to fight what she feels is an unfair discharge due to the mandatory vaccine mandate..The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) engaged well-known trial lawyer and former combat officer Phillip Millar to represent Jones, Topp and dozens of other military personnel..The JCCF said in January, it received hundreds of requests from active military members for support, guidance and steps they could take to avoid being discharged over non-compliance with the vaccine mandates..READ MORE: Topp and other soldiers ask court for injunction to prevent dismissal from military.June 22, 2022 – Topp and his team met with Conservative MPs in Ottawa where he urged the federal government to work with him to heal the divide created by its response to the COVID-19 pandemic..Topp was joined at the Valour Building in downtown Ottawa by Tom Marazzo, a founding member with Veterans4Freedom, Dr. Paul Alexander, a former Trump administration official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Daniel Bulford, a former RCMP member and Freedom Convoy organizer..MPs who met with Topp included Melissa Lantsman, Jeremy Patzer, Arnold Viersen, Dean Allison, Leslyn Lewis, Alex Ruff, Martin Shields, and Warren Steinley. Several MPs got up and left the room while Topp and Marazzo were speaking..READ MORE: CAF veteran Topp's team asks MPs to help heal Canada's divide.June 30, 2022 – Topp completed his 130-day march across Canada by arriving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.."We marched over 4,300 kilometers in protest, but this is not about that anymore. This is about the completion of this march," Topp said to a crowd of hundreds on the steps of the National War Memorial..At noon, Conservative Leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre joined the march and spoke with Topp for nearly 20 minutes..Topp told the crowd he believes Canadians' freedoms are being "slowly siphoned away," and said many of the people he spoke with on his march have, "lost faith in the system.".READ MORE: Topp finishes his cross-country journey by arriving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.Tune in Monday, August 8 @ 7 p.m. for part 6 of the Western Standard's COVID FREEDOM HEROES seven-part series. Alberta family physician Dr. Gregory Chan and Calgary pediatric neurologist Dr. Eric Payne speak to the Western Standard about their battles throughout the pandemic, not only against AHS-mandated COVID-19 vaccines, but also against the "overreach" of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta limiting treatment options for COVID-19 patients..Several other healthcare workers were also active in raising questions that challenged the mainstream narrative from governments and medical agencies across Canada.
