Former Prince George RCMP Officer Sentenced to 18 Months Probation for Obstruction of Justice

A former officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been sentenced to 18 months probation after being found guilty of obstruction of justice in connection with the 2017 arrest and death of Dale Culver in Prince George, B.C.

Arthur Dalman was convicted of ordering a bystander to delete cellphone video that should have been secured as evidence following Culver’s arrest on July 18, 2017. Culver, a 35-year-old member of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations, died in police custody 29 minutes after his arrest.

The case has been closely watched by civil liberties advocates and Indigenous leaders as a test of police accountability within the justice system.

Judge: Offence “Objectively Serious”

In sentencing, B.C. Provincial Court Judge Michael Fortino described Dalman’s actions as “objectively serious,” saying obstruction of justice by a police officer “threatens the integrity of the justice system” and undermines public trust.

“Obstruction of justice by an RCMP officer, no matter how senior, undermines accountability and erodes public trust,” Fortino said.

However, the judge pointed to several mitigating factors. Dalman was a junior officer just months into his service at the time of the offence. He has since left the police force, engaged in community service, and sought mental health support.

Fortino said that had Dalman not been new to his role, jail time would “most certainly” have been imposed.

What Happened in 2017

Court heard that Dalman responded to a call for support near a Prince George auto mall after Culver had already been taken into custody following a struggle with multiple officers.

Dalman was assigned to secure the scene. Instead, he confronted a bystander who was recording police activity.

According to the judge’s findings:

• Dalman demanded to see the video.

• He attempted to grab the phone.

• He threatened arrest and seizure of the device if the video was not deleted.

The judge said Dalman’s conduct escalated and became aggressive, ultimately resulting in the deletion of evidence that should have been preserved.

Of the five officers charged in relation to the broader events surrounding Culver’s arrest and death, Dalman is the only one to have been convicted.

Sentence Balances Deterrence and Personal Impact

The Crown sought a six-month jail sentence. The defence asked for a conditional discharge, which would have avoided a permanent criminal record.

Judge Fortino rejected both positions. He said incarceration was not necessary to achieve denunciation and deterrence, but a discharge would not sufficiently reflect the seriousness of the offence.

He also noted:

• Nearly nine years passed between the offence and sentencing.

• Dalman had relocated due to threats connected to the case.

• He later left the RCMP after disciplinary proceedings began related to giving false testimony under oath.

• He sought treatment for mental health issues, including PTSD and depression.

• He continued working in public service and received a life-saving award for assisting someone in danger.

Fortino described Dalman as “a person of good character,” while emphasizing that he committed a serious crime in a position of public trust.

“I am satisfied that this sentence appropriately communicates society’s condemnation for your actions,” the judge said.

Reaction from Family and Advocacy Groups

Following sentencing, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association released statements from Culver’s family.

Lily Speed-Namox, Culver’s daughter, said Dalman’s attempt to interfere with evidence compounded the harm.

“He attempted to cover up what happened that night,” she said in a statement. “Dalman could have stood up, but instead, he was part of the RCMP’s rotten culture of protecting their own.”

Culver’s cousin, Debbie Pierre, said the obstruction attempt “prolonged our suffering, delayed justice, and deepened the trauma.”

Meanwhile, the National Police Federation, which represents RCMP members, said the sentence did not fully account for Dalman’s limited service time and overall record. It also criticized the lengthy delay between the offence and sentencing.

“Timely and fair processes matter for everyone involved,” said federation president Brian Sauvé.

Broader Implications

The sentencing underscores ongoing tensions in British Columbia and across Canada around police accountability, transparency, and systemic reform — particularly in cases involving Indigenous individuals.

While Dalman did not directly participate in Culver’s arrest or physical restraint, the court made clear that interference with evidence by law enforcement strikes at the foundation of public confidence in the justice system.

The case now stands as one of the rare instances in which a police officer has been convicted of obstruction of justice in relation to an in-custody death in British Columbia.