Community Connections BC RCMP’S Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

Community Connections BC RCMP’s Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

FALL/WINTER 2017

Message from the Commanding Officer BC RCMP Since taking over the role of Commanding Officer in British Co- lumbia, I continue to be impressed with the commitment our By the communities have demonstrated in supporting the RCMP. It Numbers… gives me great pleasure to present the Fall/Winter edition of the BC RCMP’s Community Connections Newsletter that highlights the efforts and accomplishments of our communities, 100 Different police officers, employees, and volunteers. languages We continue to seek ways to build our organization’s cultural spoken by competency and sensitivity to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We are com- RCMP mitted to ensuring the safety of our communities and will continue to collaborate with our employees stakeholders throughout the Province of BC to prevent crime and support victims of crime.

Our organization is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce which will help 1/3 Of us better serve our communities. We are always looking for new police officers with var- RCMP ied backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to visit www.RCMPCareers.ca for employees more information and to learn about recent recruitment changes such as permanent resi- serve dents being eligible to apply.

in BC We are committed to continued relationship building with communities and organizations throughout the province and look forward to participating in and supporting future 72% of BC events and initiatives.

residents Respectfully, live in RCMP Brenda Butterworth-Carr, Deputy Commissioner jurisdictions Commanding Officer, BC RCMP

1,400,000 calls for service last year

Over 100 members of the RCMP joined together to show their Canadian pride and celebrate Canada 150 by posing for a memorable photo on the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. P A G E 2

Community Perspectives Shared

The RCMP is committed to leading through engagement, which was the theme of this year’s Commanding Officer’s Leadership Conference. The conference brought together senior RCMP officers and employees from across the province and included presenta- tions from local community members that embodied this theme. Some of the highlights of the two day event included the welcoming ceremony, a panel discussion on Islamophobia, and an inspiring presentation on the ‘Power of One Person.’

Welcoming Ceremony Highlights

The RCMP was honoured to have Chief David Jimmie of the Squiala First Nation begin the conference with a prayer and brief address about his personal experiences and rich cultural heritage. This was followed by an energetic dance presentation from the Sts'ailes Youth Group & Drummers. The young members of this group were very passionate about their per- formance and told stories of their history and culture Chief David Jimmie Members of the through their dancing. Sts'ailes Youth Group & Drummers

Engaging Islamophobia: Beyond Outreach A panel discussion on Islamophobia was moderated by Inspector Christopher deGale and featured the community-minded panelists Ms. Laya Behbahani, Mr. Tariq Tyab, and Mr. Musa Ismail. The panelists touched on many key issues including the necessity of RCMP members having a broader understanding of the Islamic religion, the similarities of Islam to other mainstream religions, the difference between the religion of Islam itself and the cultures of those who practice it, and the role the RCMP can play in supporting the Mus- lim community. The panelists appreciated the RCMP’s willingness to participate in a panel discussion on Islamophobia and recognized the RCMP’s commitment to taking an active leadership role in this salient global issue.

P A G E 3 A few key recommendations were put forth during the panel discussion and warrants further re- flection and discussion. Some of these recommendations include members of the RCMP playing a more active role in visiting mosques and strengthening their relationships with the Muslim community, engaging in an anti-Islamophobia media campaign similar to the End Gang Life initiative,

coordinating and participating in information sessions for the Muslim community with respect to the process of reporting crimes, and dedicating resources towards establishing an Islamophobia portfolio. Overall, the panel discussion proved valuable and informative for all attendees and was an important step towards increasing dialogue and partnerships with the Muslim community.

Mr. Musa Ismail Ms. Laya Behbahani Mr. Tariq Tyab

The ‘Power of One Person’

Mr. Lesra Martin provided an inspiring presentation on the ‘The Power of One Person.’

Mr. Lesra Martin, who was once an inner city kid dismissed by society, became an accomplished lawyer and inspired the world through his hope and courage. Lesra shared with the attendees that often we think that in order to make a real difference, we have to do something “big” and the small impact we can have doesn’t matter. Embracing the power of one means putting yourself in the picture and recognizing that individually you have a role to play and the ability to make your community the best it can be. When you do this, you begin to realize that difficult tasks in Mr. Lesra Martin your path are not too monumental to overcome, and little differences and small gestures can have a great impact on someone’s life. He shared with the attendees six elements that provided him guidance through his life: hope, heart, human spirit, dreams, determination, and disci- pline, and asked the attendees to reflect on and discuss with their peers what these concepts meant to them and how they could influence their lives. Lesra’s story and affable demeanour was an uplifting addition to the CO’s Conference and was well- received by all in attendance. P A G E 4

BC RCMP Pride

The Vancouver Pride Parade was held on Sunday, August 6, 2017. This year proudly marked the BC RCMP’s eleventh year of participation. The BC RCMP entry consisted of a diverse cross section of employees including regular members, civilian members, public service, and municipal employees. Three regular members wore full Red Serge while the rest of the employees debuted red RCMP Pride t-shirts. The crowd was very receptive and appreciative of the RCMP’s presence at the parade and were given BC RCMP Pride pins, necklaces, and plenty of high-fives and hugs! The RCMP entry was very proud to represent their organization and champion the inclusion of the LGBTQ community as well as the diverse crowd in attendance.

Constables Chen and Ricioppo interacting with the crowd at the Vancouver Pride Parade

Building Relationships on the Island The Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Com- mittee (GVPDAC) is based in Victoria, B.C. and connects, builds relationships with, and fosters communication and understanding between diverse communities and the region’s five police agencies. The Sidney and West Shore RCMP detachments are represented on the Com- mittee, which participates in various activities includ- Information session with Masjid Al-Iman community ing informational and educational events, community members engagement initiatives, and outreach events across the Island. Some of the most recent events coordinated by the GVPDAC include engagement events with the Sikh and Hindu communities at the Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple, an information session with the Muslim community at the Masjid Al-Iman Mosque, as well as participation in the annual Victoria Pride Parade. The events with the Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim Communities are part of the Police and Community En- gagement Events series organized by the GVPDAC that seek to bring the police and various communities together to share, listen, and learn about concerns and views held by the police and the communities they serve. The RCMP values its partnership with the GVPDAC and looks forward to continued participation in diversity and inclusion events and initiatives. For more information on GVPDAC and their initiatives, please visit their website at: https://dac-victoria.squarespace.com/ P A G E 5

Need Help? We Speak Your Language!

Diversity in police hiring practices brings with it the advantage of North Vancouver officers being able to break down the language barrier in many interactions in its community.

Of the 130 RCMP officers posted to North Vancouver, almost 60 officers speak at least one additional language. In addition to the 20 French speaking officers, some of the languages spoken include Farsi, Arabic, Italian, Bulgarian, Russian, Cantonese, Croatian, Serbian, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, German, Swiss German, Greek, Gujarati, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, and Kurdish.

One of the officers posted to North Vancouver, Constable Myung Choi, was born in Korea and immigrated as a child to Paraguay before his family settled in Canada. Having been raised in three countries, he fluently speaks Korean, Spanish and English. “I'm routinely called upon by other officers to assist in their investiga- tions. Victims of crime are often comforted when they interact with a police officer who can speak their language,” said Cst. Choi. As a General Duty member, Cst. Choi works on a team with 12 other officers who speak 11 different languages amongst them.

When an officer is unavailable, the RCMP has a structure in place that identifies officers in neighbouring detachments who speak foreign languages. When required, they can be called upon to assist with investiga- tions outside of their detachment area. Volunteers at the North Vancouver Community Policing office also reflect the cultural mosaic of the various communities it serves. Collectively, the volunteers speak French, Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, German, Russian, Korean, Punjabi, Hindi, and Japanese.

“The North Vancouver RCMP detachment is proud to celebrate its cultural diversity while recognizing the importance for police to have a respect and understanding for the diverse cultures we connect with,” said Superintendent Chris Kennedy, Officer in Charge of the North Vancouver RCMP Detachment. “Although our officers and volunteers are able to effectively carry out their duties without the ability to speak a second language, an officer with these skills is an asset to the detachment and our communities.”

who can speak their language,” Cst. Myung Choi P A G E 6

Celebrating Diversity Through Sport

‘Celebrating Diversity Through Sport’ was an initiative designed to showcase cultural diversity and inclusion through sport as a Canada 150 project. Ser- geant Donovan Tait from the Nanaimo RCMP was instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition. A member of the RCMP since 1994, he began coach- ing minor hockey as a way of engaging with the youth who lived within the communities which he served. Being of Jamaican descent and a hockey play- er himself, he is a consultant/scout for Western Canada for the Jamaican Olympic Hockey Team and a strong supporter of diversity in sport. Members of the Jamaica and Nova Scotia hockey teams The dynamic event was held on May 13-14, 2017 in Nova Scotia and featured cultural exchanges and exhibition hockey games between the Jamaican Olympic Hockey Federation (JOIHF) and Nova Scotia. The hockey games and cultural exhibitions celebrated the positive influences and rich history marginalized communities have in sport and commemorated the Coloured Hockey League that compet- ed in the Maritimes from 1895-1930. The Jamaican Olympic Hockey Federation, Jamaican dignitaries, and community members also toured the Black Cultural Centre and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and learned more about the contribution of Jamaicans to the culture and history of Nova Scotia and their lasting impact on diversity in sport. Sgt. Tait was greatly touched by these events and emphasized “the event was much more than an international hockey competition, the kids on both teams enjoyed a great history lesson about the story of black pioneers in the area and the significance of ice hockey in this history.”

Overall, the initiative was a resounding success and highlights just one of many ways RCMP members continue to contribute to the community and celebrate diversity in its many forms. Sgt. Tait reflected on his experience, stating “it was a great opportunity to wear a few different hats with this organization as a Canadian and a Jamai- can. Not only am I a hockey coach, recruiter, and builder in the Jamaican/Canadian community, I have many op- portunities to proudly represent the RCMP and demonstrate the Force's commitment to our youth and diverse communities showcasing our national sport.”

Buddhism in the Park

The BC Buddhist Festival was held at Tisdall Park in Vancouver on May 28, 2017 and brought together members from over 50 monasteries and from numerous nationalities to raise awareness of and celebrate Bud- dhism’s message of peace and harmony. The event was open to all cultures and religions to join in the cele- bration and participate in meditation, cultural performances, and a Dharma conference. The RCMP was proudly represented at this event by Chief Superintendent Paulette Freill and Staff Sergeant Doug Ferguson. C/Supt. Freill spoke to the attendees about the RCMP continuing to find meaningful ways to engage with the community and the importance of the RCMP having a diverse workforce that can deliver services to the community in a culturally re- sponsive manner. In addition to promoting Buddhism and intercul- tural dialogue, the festival raised over $20,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit.

C/Supt. Paulette Freill being greeted by Tsengdok Rinpoche. Photo by Vincent Wong P A G E 7 Gang Intervention Team for CFSEU-BC The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC) is British Columbia’s ‘integrated anti-gang police agency’, working to end gang violence and organized crime in the province.

In 2016, the Lower Mainland was experiencing another wave of gang related street violence. In response to the growing number of gang related incidents, Com- bined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – B.C. (CFSEU- BC) in collaboration with Surrey RCMP and Delta Police decided to increase community engagement initiatives to further enhance their relationship with the community.

In May 2016, an engagement strategy was developed and members of the CFSEU-BC, Surrey RCMP, and Del- ta Police participated in hundreds of community events where they made themselves accessible to youth, parents, and the community at large. This resulted in the creation of CFSEU-BC’s Gang Intervention Team which provides a combination of community engagement, prevention, gang outreach, and proactive intervention and enforcement across British Columbia. The team connects CFSEU-BC with the community and serves as a liaison between law enforcement, other government departments, schools, businesses, non-profit entities, and the people specifically affected by the actions of gang-involved individuals.

Since its creation, CFSEU-BC’s Gang Intervention Team has been effective in community engagement and outreach. In September 2016, CFSEU-BC launched a Parent Helpline which immediately resulted in an overwhelming number of calls from parents seeking help for their kids who were either involved in gangs or showing signs of interest in the gang lifestyle.

The Gang Intervention team works with youth, their families, community stakeholders and other policing partners around British Columbia to reduce gang violence. The team meets with youth and their family to provide education around the realities of gang life and, where needed, will use enforcement to disrupt the behavior of those at risk or already involved in gang activities. The team also links youth and their families to support services when needed.

CFSEU-BC Sergeant Jag Khosa undertook the responsibility to lead this team nearly a year ago and he says it has been both challenging and exciting. The team not only provides intervention support but engages in various prevention strategies to educate youth, parents, service providers, and the community about the myths and realities of gang life. (cont’d on page 8)

P A G E 8

In the past year, the team has worked closely with various religious institutions, including Sikh Temples and Mosques, as well as local schools, youth groups, youth camps, policing agencies, and community organizations to deliver the CFSEU-BC End Gang Life presentation.

Sgt. Khosa regularly participates on ethnic media shows such as Omni TV and Red FM to discuss the work the CFSEU-BC is doing and to educate the audience on the End Gang Life initiative. This positive presence and relationship-building has allowed the CFSEU-BC to intervene in gang related conflict before it can intensify.

“Community engagement is a cornerstone of any effective revitalization effort. It must be an early ingredient in tackling any community issue. An empowered community is a resilient community which is a key catalyst in deterring our younger generation from getting involved in gangs and other criminal activities.”

Sgt. Jag Khosa meets with community groups in Surrey, B.C. P A G E 9

P A G E 9 Cops in the Community Snapshots of community engagement events throughout the province

January 2017

A First Nations Policing Program workshop was held in Kelowna from January 17-19, 2017. Workshop participants exchanged information on resources available for community safety planning, addressed relevant policy and program issues, and built connections for ongoing collaboration.

March 2017

Representatives of the RCMP interacted with local youth at ‘Girls Fly Too’ at the Abbotsford Airport. This is an annual event aimed at encouraging and inspiring future female leaders in the science, tech- nology, engineering and math fields.

Photo credit: Heather Cook , H..G. McCookie Photography

April 2017

Surrey RCMP officers, staff, and volunteers playing in the Somali Youth Basketball Tournament at Princess Margaret Secondary School.

Connect with Us! Email: [email protected] Twitter/BCRCMP BC RCMP P A G E 10

May 2017

A Diversity Dinner was held at the Terrace detachment bringing together more than 30 participants from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities with members of the RCMP to enjoy a delicious meal.

May 2017

D/Commr Brenda Butterworth-Carr met with Mawlana Shaykh Nurjan for an interview to celebrate the start of Ramadan. The interview was aired on the Divine Love: Hub E Rasul television series. D/Commr Butterworth-Carr hopes to build strong communication with the members of the Muslim community and also recognize those follow- ers of Islam within the RCMP family.

June 2017

National Aboriginal Day is celebrated on June 21st across Canada. One of the events held at BC RCMP Headquarters this year included a customary smudging ceremony.