On June 25, 2013, Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis asked his Deputy Minister, Tim Grant this question: 'What legal authority do the police rely upon to forcibly enter private property in the flood stricken area?' Deputy Minister Grant forwarded Minister Denis' question to newly appointed Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Law Enforcement, Bill Sweeney (retired RCMP Commanding Officer for 'E' Division, the Province of Alberta).
ADM Sweeney then sent an e-mail to RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marianne Ryan asking her to answer Minister Denis' question adding: 'This was in relation to High River and breaking into homes to look for casualties. The Minister was aware that firearms that have not been properly stored were seized during the (sic) these searches and also anticipates that some residents will ask this question later.'Note: This was three days before the media and the public were made aware that firearms were being seized in High River.
