Oct 18, 2013 – Vol. 18 No. 42 Federal government to move on ‘Quanto’s Law’ after death

Oct 10 2013 The RCMP wants to know if its of Edmonton police dog members feel that their bosses Oct 16 2013 and colleagues “demonstrate honesty,” that they’re “protect- OTTAWA - The federal government is ed from reprisals” if they report signalling it will create new legislation wrongdoing, and how often they to protect animals that work with police. “feel like leaving the RCMP.” In its speech from the throne Wednesday, Page2 the government said it will bring forward “Quanto’s Law’’ in honour of a police dog that Oct 11 2013 was killed in Edmonton earlier this month. KENORA - Treaty Three Police Police complained after Quanto was Service’s new interim police chief, stabbed during the takedown of a fleeing sus- Dan Davidson, was appointed to pect that the strongest criminal charge that take over the struggling aboriginal could be laid was cruelty to an animal. police force by the OPP for the next The throne speech did not specify what six months. After that time, the Quanto’s Law would entail. Law, but nothing happened until Menegakis’s police board will need to appoint a A private member’s bill to amend the bill was tabled earlier this year. permanent replacement for outgo- Criminal Code is already before the House of The government also promised a new law ing police chief Conrad DeLaronde Commons. prohibiting the non-consensual distribution of or extend Davidson’s contract. Brought forward by Ontario Conservative intimate images - a key element of a legisla- Page 3 MP Costas Menegakis, it singles out anyone tive package to address cyberbullying. “who knowingly or recklessly poisons, injures The pledge follows a spate of troubling Oct 14 2013 or kills a law enforcement animal,’’ including a incidents involving young people, including The UK government has unveiled horse or dog, and proposes the same five-year that of Nova Scotia teenager Rehtaeh Parsons, plans to allow foreign police maximum penalty that animal cruelty carries. who took her own life last April after a digital chiefs to run forces in England Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay photograph of her allegedly being sexually as- and Wales, despite criticism from publicly offered his support to the bill in the saulted was passed around her school. police officers across the country. wake of Quanto’s death. The speech - which includes a mix of old Page 8 Menegakis said he was actually inspired and new criminal justice proposals - said the to act by the death of Brigadier, a Toronto po- government will give police and prosecutors Oct 15 2013 lice horse that had to be put down after police new tools to “effectively address cyberbully- OSHAWA - Durham’s police chief said he was deliberately struck by a driver they ing that involves criminal invasion of privacy, is set to retire as of May 31, 2014. were trying to pull over in 2006. intimidation and personal abuse.’’ Page 10 There was a push at that time for Brigadier’s The government said it would also change

Oct 15 2013 MONTREAL - Vincent Géracitano mortgaged his home to launch the Avis de Recherche (ADR) channel on Quebec cable television. Page 10 the law so that the worst criminals spend that a life sentence means a sentence for life.’’ Rexton and will take a measured approach with their entire lives behind bars - although it is The Conservatives also plan to expand the public safety and people’s rights in mind. unclear how this would differ from existing national anti-drug strategy to deal with “the The RCMP blocked Highway 134 near dangerous offender designations. growing problem’’ of prescription drug abuse. Rexton on Sept. 29 after a protest against shale As expected, the government also con- In addition, it pledges to ensure the “in- gas exploration began spilling onto the road. firmed plans to usher in a victims bill of rights. humane practice of early and forced mar- Protesters subsequently cut down trees “For too long, the voices of victims have riage’’ does not happen in Canada. across another part of the highway and have been silenced, while the system coddled blocked an entrance to a compound used by criminals,’’ Gov. Gen. David Johnston said as energy company SWN Resources to store ex- he delivered the speech. wednesday ploration equipment. “Our government has worked to re-es- october 9, 2013 The protesters, which include members tablish Canada as a country where those who of the Elsipogtog community, want SWN Re- break the law are punished for their actions; sources to stop seismic testing and leave the where penalties match the severity of crimes Oct 09 2013 province. committed; where the rights of victims come EDMONTON - A three-year capital cam- Premier David Alward and Chief Arren before the rights of criminals.’’ paign to replace Edmonton’s aging po- Sock met this week and agreed to set up a The throne speech reiterated promises to lice Air-1 helicopter raised $100,000 in working group to work towards a resolution. impose restrictions on violent offenders who five minutes Wednesday evening. SWN was granted an injunction to end were found not criminally responsible for The money for the new chopper was raised the blockade of their compound but the their actions when they are released into com- at the True Blue Gala, the Edmonton Police RCMP has not enforced it. munities, as well as measures to ensure pred- Foundation’s signature fundraising event. A spokesman for SWN declined com- ators who commit multiple crimes against Air-1 is aging and parts are becoming ment Thursday while the matter was before children are not given discounted sentences. more difficult to replace, said Nicole Ng-Muk- the courts. “Canadians demand that those who prey Yuen, with the Edmonton Police Foundation. on our children pay the full price for every The helicopter will need to be replaced Oct 10 2013 devastated life.’’ in less than three years, she said, at a cost of OTTAWA - Don’t bring your guns to the The government has already promised to about $7.5 million. police station. We pick them up! revamp systems for tracking sex offenders in- Air-1 made its public debut at Heritage That’s the word from Ottawa police to cluding a public database of those convicted Days on Aug. 5, 2001, following the launch people interested in trading in their firearms of child sex crimes. of a public fundraising drive. during an amnesty program that began earlier It is also reviving the idea of making some When the proposal to acquire a police heli- this week. dangerous and violent offenders serve their full copter was brought before the Edmonton Police Police say they’ve already had three inci- sentences before being released from prison. Commission, Air-1 was touted as a fast and ef- dents where people wanting to participate in “Our government will end the practice of fective way of responding to crimes and emer- the Pixels for Pistols gun amnesty program automatic early release for serious repeat of- gencies within the city’s sprawling boundaries. brought their guns into police stations. fenders,’’ Johnston said. Air-1 was airborne and patrolling Edmon- Officials say public safety was not at risk “But for the worst of all criminals, even ton’s streets in time for the start of the World in any of the situations. this is not enough. Canadians do not under- Championships in Athletics in August 2001. stand why the most dangerous criminals After a year of leasing, a local commu- Oct 10 2013 would ever be released from prison. For nity organization raised the estimated $1.7 The RCMP wants to know if its mem- them, our government will change the law so million required to purchase the chopper. bers feel that their bosses and col- Air-2 took over Air-1’s role as the depart- leagues “demonstrate honesty,” that ment’s main eye in the sky in September 2009. they’re “protected from reprisals” if The $1.65 million to buy Air-2 and the they report wrongdoing, and how of- additional $350,000 spent to outfit it for po- ten they “feel like leaving the RCMP.” lice work were approved by the Edmonton Distributed to employees late last month, Police Commission and city council in 2008. the “Professional Climate Survey” is in- ISSN 1704-3913 Copyright 2013 Police estimate the impact of losing one heli- tended to “enhance departmental policies, Blue Line Magazine Inc. & The Canadian Press copter and needing to depend on only one would practices and procedures and create a better Permission to reprint may be obtained in advance from result in a productivity loss of 30 to 35 per cent. work environment for all employees,” survey Access Copyright (Edmonton Journal) Phone 1-800-893-5777 [email protected] respondents are told. The survey coincides with the develop- Published weekly by Blue Line Magazine, Inc. as an executive news ment by the force’s top brass in June of a “Pro- briefing service to Canada’s top level law enforcement personnel. Thursday fessional Ethics Strategic Plan,” designed to Most information supplied in this publication is from news- October 10, 2013 wire services. As such Blue Line Magazine does not ac- “increase public trust” in the force and “ensure cept responsibility for the accuracy of articles as supplied. the RCMP is accountable and ethical.” The Oct 10 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, force is also in the midst of updating its code stored in an electronic database or transmitted in any form or by FREDERICTON - The commanding of- of conduct for the first time in 25 years. any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, with- ficer for the RCMP in New Brunswick out the prior permission of the publishers. One Year Subscriptions Earlier this year, the force also introduced are $10500 (GST Included). Paid subscribers may make up to four says he’s disappointed that discus- a new “Gender and Respect Action Plan,” as (4) copies of this publication for distribution within their organization. sions between the provincial govern- well as an “Interpersonal Workplace Relation- Group Publisher: Morley S. Lymburner ment and the Elsipogtog First Nation ship Policy” that states that romantic or sexual PUBLISHER: Kathryn M. Lymburner - [email protected] have yet to resolve a shale gas protest NEWS EDITOR: Mark Reesor - [email protected] relationships between supervisors or those in Subscriptions: Blue Line Store at www.BlueLine.ca that is into its second week. positions of authority and subordinates must ADVERTISING: 1-888-640-3048 Assistant Commissioner Roger Brown 12A-4981 Hwy. 7 East, Ste. 254, Markham ON L3R 1N1 be reported in writing as they “raise concerns Phone: 905 640-3048 eMail: [email protected] says the RCMP is monitoring the situation near of conflict of interest, preferential treatment, 2 bias and/or abuse of authority.” somehow come back to bite them. you are, they do not know where to send help,” These developments come in a period of Survey takers are asked at the end to said the report. “Inaccurate information arising considerable tumult for the force, punctuated identify their age, gender, marital status, vis- from cell towers is also a significant problem by allegations of widespread sexual harass- ible-minority status, employee category, the in determining where callers are.” ment, bullying and discrimination. Later this division they work in, and years of service. Denton wrote that new technologies to month, retired RCMP constable Janet Merlo (Postmedia News) contact 911 will not address these issues, be- — the lead plaintiff in a proposed class-action cause there is no single authority responsible lawsuit against the force — is set to release a Oct 10 2013 for these emergency services or different lev- book documenting her 20-year RCMP career VANCOUVER - Vancouver police and els of funding for such services. titled No One to Tell: Breaking My Silence ICBC are offering free steering wheel Despite these roadblocks, the federal reg- on Life in the RCMP. locks to owners of the top 10 most ulator wants to hear from consumers about Robert Gordon, a professor of crimi- stolen vehicle models in the city, in an how they think text messages, picture mes- nology at Simon Fraser University, said the effort to cut down on property crime. sages, and social media can be incorporated survey appears to be well-organized, com- Police say the locks are being issued after into the 911 service. prehensive and a signal that RCMP Com- they noticed a recent increase in the number The report cautioned that these new tech- missioner Bob Paulson is trying to turn the of stolen vehicles, which are often used to nologies have the potential of making the ser- organization around. commit other property crimes. vices more complicated, and could involve “Judging from the posture of the com- Over the past five years the number of stolen more training and create new legal liabilities missioner over the last few years, I get the vehicles has declined by more than 50 per cent, for those who answer 911 calls. impression this guy realizes there are sig- said a statement issued by VPD on Thursday. “For example, if Canadians can sub- nificant, potentially fatal, problems with his “However, there was a noticeable change mit videos, pictures or other digital assets organization. He’s trying to address some of last year when the number of stolen vehicles in conjunction with 911 calls, the resources these concerns,” Gordon said. increased by 6.7 per cent over the previous required to manage 911 calls will increase The survey asks members to indicate year,” said the statement. significantly. While in some cases videos or whether they think the RCMP is an organi- “Specifically, the rise was driven by an pictures may provide valuable information, zation with integrity, if they feel comfort- increase in the number of trucks and vans sto- too much information could be a danger,” the able raising possible ethical breaches to their len,” said the statement. report said, adding that those who handle 911 bosses, and if they feel confident that reports Top 10 stolen vehicles in Vancouver: calls may not have enough time to look at all of possible wrongdoing will be addressed Honda Civic (Pre-2000) Ford F150, of the information. impartially. They can choose from five re- F250, F350 trucks (Pre-1999 F150; Pre- A group representing police, fire and sponses, ranging from “strongly disagree” to 2007 F250 / F350) Honda Accord (Pre-1998) paramedics said the use of new technologies “strongly agree.” Dodge / Plymouth / Chrysler minivan (1991- will increase costs. Employees are also asked if their super- 2000) Jeep Cherokee (1993-1999) Ford The use of new technologies could increase visors take prompt action when unethical be- Econoline Van (2000-2007) Toyota Corolla costs up to 30 per cent in 911 budgets, said Lance haviour occurs, and if they are aware that they (1990-2004) Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Si- Valcour, executive director of the Canadian In- and their supervisors “must resolve any real, erra trucks (1992-2006) Acura Integra (1990- teroperability Technology Interest Group. apparent or potential conflicts of interest.” 2001) Toyota Camry / Solara (1989-1999 But Valcour said the use of new technolo- In another section, employees are asked if Vancouver residents who own any of the gies to reach 911 can’t be delayed until every they feel they had received adequate training, qualifying vehicles can collect their locks by municipality and province is ready. whether their workloads are manageable and taking their vehicle registration papers to a The CRTC has already asked the coun- if their supervisors listen to their concerns. VPD public information counter. try’s wireless carriers to make changes to They’re also asked if they feel they have been their networks and systems to support 911 treated fairly and respectfully during their Oct 10 2013 emergency text messages from hearing and time with the force. Several problems in Canada’s patch- speech-impaired persons. That service is go- Employees are also probed on their intentions work system of 911 services need to ing to start to roll out in January. to leave the force. “How often do you actively be fixed — such as accurately locat- look for another position outside the RCMP?” ing cellphone callers — before new they’re asked. Again, they have five possible an- methods like text messages or social friday swers ranging from “never” to “always.” media can be used in an emergency, October 11, 2013 They’re also asked — yes or no — if according to a report Thursday. they’d recommend the RCMP as a place to The report by the Canadian Radio-tele- Oct 11 2013 work to family and friends. vision and Telecommunications Commission KENORA - Treaty Three Police Ser- Sgt. Greg Cox, an RCMP spokesman, (CRTC) also noted that it was “unacceptable” vice’s new interim police chief, Dan Da- said in an email that while employee sur- that the number of 911 calls made in Canada vidson, was appointed to take over the veys have been done in the past, the RCMP each year are not tracked. struggling aboriginal police force by is “seeking more specific responses to ques- Authored by former CRTC commissioner the OPP for the next six months. After tions and demographics that will help deter- Timothy Denton, the report noted a “large that time, the police board will need to mine problem areas and what resources will and widening gap” between what 911 servic- appoint a permanent replacement for help to address them.” es can do and what people expect they can do. outgoing police chief Conrad DeLar- Cox said results should be available in For example, some Canadians mistakenly onde or extend Davidson’s contract. early 2014, but are “intended to be used for believe that emergency responders can moni- “For the next six months, my job is to be internal purposes.” tor social media sites or are always provided a the chief of police and to make sure we’re Gordon said there are limitations to such precise location of a mobile phone call. In many providing professional service to our 26 com- a survey. Even though respondents are prom- instances, when a location is provided, it can be munities,” said Davidson. ised anonymity, some may still be reluctant an approximation to the closest cellphone tower. “If the board hasn’t found a suitable candi- to complete it out of fear their answers could “Simply put, if they do not know where date within that time frame there is a provision in 3 my secondment agreement to extend my stay.” suffered from memory issues and were “unre- total, the city has spent more than $200 mil- According to Davidson, the Treaty Three liable in the extreme.” lion to settle civil lawsuits since 2000. Police board of directors asked the OPP to Perhaps most significantly, he ruled The police settlements include: provide them with a interim police chief after the women could not have seen Styres be Four settlements stemmed from the ac- DeLaronde announced his intention to resign, grounded by the officers clearly because their tion of a police dog. and the OPP chose to send him. Although he view was partially obstructed by a hedge. Fifteen settlements involved car chases. was never told why he was chosen, Davidson “It almost seems impossible that witnesses The biggest was for nearly $2 million. In does have experience as a detachment com- could hit so many red-light issues,” he said. 1990, a cab driver named Ali Adaba Ghomi mander and has worked in a few of the com- Tran and Bowie were silent after the deci- was broadsided by a stolen white Oldsmobile munities he must now police. sion, allowing their lawyers to comment instead. fleeing a police cruiser at Dufferin and Du- Davidson just finished his first week at “In 35 years of experience, that’s one of pont Sts. He was taken to hospital with life- the aboriginal police service and is working the strongest judgments that I’ve ever heard threatening injuries. with DeLaronde to learn what is required to vindicating the behaviour of two fine police Nearly 12 years later, in 2002, the city be the chief. He will be officially taking over officers,” said Rodney Sellar, Bowie’s lawyer. settled for $1,858,811.81. as police chief on Oct. 18. Every police force Tran’s lawyer hoped the Special Inves- Assault while in custody led to two settle- has its own structure and way of doing things tigations Unit, in charge of probing alleged ments; bodily injury in custody produced an- and right now Davidson said he’s focused on criminal conduct involving Ontario police other three. acclimating to his new surroundings. officers, would analyze evidence and witness Injuries or property damage during an ar- Having only been at the police force for accounts more carefully in the future. rest led to 11 settlements, including one for a few days, Davidson said he has not formed “We can’t make up all these contradictions $220,638.32. any opinion on the tough issues facing the force and inconsistencies. They’re there and they Search-and-seizure cases led to 12 settle- such as tight budget, wage and benefit cuts, a were apparent to us,” Michael Edelson said. ments worth about $500,000. nasty labour conflict, and the drop in officer mo- The president of the Ottawa Police Asso- Nine cases that appear to be related to rale resulting from those problems. Any plans ciation echoed that statement. policing during the G20 have already been on how he will lead the force over the next six “We are happy with this decision - not- settled: five for use of force, three Charter vio- months or what changes he may implement withstanding that these charges should not lations, one for “crowd/riot control,” all stem- would be premature, he said. Davidson is plan- have been laid in the first place,” Matt Skof ming from the weekend of June 26-27, 2010. ning to travel to the communities to meet with said. “A tremendous amount of public re- Police spokesman Mark Pugash noted chiefs and councils in the coming weeks. sources were unnecessarily spent as a result that settlements don’t mean the city is admit- “I’ve come in here with an open mind, of this matter.” ting liability in a given case. so I’m not going to make any kind of knee- Ultimately, Vaillancourt found that the Sometimes, he said, lawyers for the city’s jerk reactions to anything, I’m still in the officers made an appropriate “split-second insurance company simply make a calcula- learning phase. It’s not fair for me to say this decision” and responded with necessary force tion that continuing to fight a case will cost needs change or that until I fully understand to subdue a tall, drunk man waving his arms more than settling. “People very often as- what the problems are and what the solutions aggressively in the street. Styres has a history sume these settlements involve admissions of might be,” said Davidson. as a combative and violent drunk but court liability — and they don’t.” Information about how the negotiations heard that the officers were not aware of that Pugash added that 250 settlements was between the police board and the Public Ser- at the time he was grounded. not a particularly high number given that, ac- vice Alliance of Canada have been going has “When citizens observe the police in cording to police estimates, the force has had been sparse since the two sides agreed to start physical contact with someone and an injury about 15 million contacts with Toronto resi- talking this summer. results, they may see the injury and immedi- dents since 2000. (Kenora Daily Miner and News) ately assume there is ‘police brutality.’ This “We’ve seen an astonishing growth in conclusion may very well be the result of not Canada in civil litigation. I’m not complain- Oct 11 2013 having any experience with events that play ing about that, but it’s a fact. It’s easier than OTTAWA - Two Ottawa police officers out on the street,” he said. it’s ever been to sue,” he said. were acquitted of assaulting a drunk (Ottawa Citizen) (Toronto Star) homeless man in the summer of 2011 in a scathing ruling that left critics Oct 11 2013 Oct 11 2013 wondering how the case ever made it TORONTO - Toronto police have TORONTO - Toronto Police: to serve, to trial at all. racked up $27 million worth of settle- protect and collect. The accusations relied heavily on what ments in civil lawsuits since 2000, It’s an open secret — some police officers a judge described as “the extremely flawed including dozens for false arrest and carry their own trading cards, not unlike those and compromised” accounts of mother and use of force, a database obtained by of hockey greats or Pokemon, and hand them daughter witnesses because Hugh Styres him- the Toronto Star shows. out to people who ask. self testified he could not remember how he The most common settlement causes in- Toronto’s finest are depicted on horse- ended up bloodied and bruised in the hospital clude 66 cases of allegations of use of force, back, tearing up Lake Ontario on jet-skis and with his eye swollen shut. 62 claims of false arrest, and 58 allegations kneeling beside amber-eyed German shep- Constables Thanh Tran and Colin Bowie of negligent investigations, eight of which in- herds. So far, officers with the marine unit, had been accused of tripping and pushing volved sexual assaults. mounted unit and police dog services carry Styres face-first onto the pavement around The information, which the Star obtained the trading cards. 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2011 after rousing him through a Freedom of Information request, And they’ve become quite the collector’s from sleep next to two empty bottles of Lis- was contained in a larger database showing items among a small faction of fans. terine in Sandy Hill. the settlements in civil cases. The city did not “We get people running out of buildings Justice Charles Vaillancourt ruled that release details of any of the 3,062 settlements saying, ‘Is that Tecumseh?” said Staff Insp. witnesses Tasha Doucette and her daughter, contained in the database. Many of the cases Bill Wardle, of the mounted unit and police River, were inconsistent, at times untruthful, are covered by confidentiality agreements. In dog service, referring to one of the horses. 4 5 The trading cards have been around since able basis to support the complaint. in a secure room. Anne de Haas, a Toronto photographer, ap- Following the allegation, some people At the time, Ross was responsible for the proached police with the idea in 2004 after posted messages on the Saskatoon police care and handling of police exhibits at the seeing U.S. officers handing out similar cards Facebook page suggesting racism was in- Montague detachment. at an equestrian competition. volved. The RCMP have said that police believe “I thought: What a cool idea — we should the drugs were taken for personal use. do that up here,” de Haas told the Star. Oct 11 2013 Ross is scheduled to return to court on The cards were printed for free thanks to LONDON, Ont. - It looks like someone Feb. 6 for sentencing. a $30,000 cheque written to police from an in London, Ont., picked the wrong anonymous donor who heard about the proj- neighbourhood to be nosing around. Oct 11 2013 ect. De Haas took the photos pro bono. Police in the southern Ontario city say CALGARY - Lead-foot drivers beware: “I really believe in getting kids involved Chief Brad Duncan was getting ready to take RCMP are watching you from the sky. so they can develop a relationship with po- his dog for a walk Thursday when he saw two Mounties and sheriffs have been patrol- lice,” de Haas said. male suspects acting suspiciously around a ling Alberta highways by helicopter since the The mounted unit soon realized they vehicle in a neighbour’s driveway. summer, and in just a few months they’ve had hit on something. “Kids just love them,” It’s alleged that when Duncan confronted busted hundreds of violators. Wardle said. the pair, one of the suspects fled but Duncan So far, they’ve handed out 57 tickets in The project’s success led to a dog deck in managed to arrest the other one. just 48 hours of flying time, along with nearly 2006, and a marine unit series in 2012. Police say the chief “took physical control’’ 400 speeding tickets. The cards aren’t just for parades and public of the suspect, as he resisted during the arrest. The helicopter will fly over 50 problem events; officers often take them along to calls. Uniformed officers soon arrived and took spots throughout the winter, as long as high- “If a search warrant is being done, the of- over the investigation. ways are clear enough to see the painted lines. ficer can hand the cards to kids in the area, Kyle Pettigrew, 21, of London, is charged “It’s been going very well,’’ says Cpl. so they don’t just see the officers doing an with trespassing at night and resisting arrest. Darrin Turnbull from the RCMP Airdrie In- operation. They get a bond with the officer tegrated Traffic Unit, adding they can also and the dog, so it really humanizes the experi- Oct 11 2013 catch extremely aggressive drivers. ence,” Wardle said. TORONTO - A convicted child-killer’s “We’re able to observe them over a lon- (Toronto Star) push to have evidence in cases carry- ger period of time, longer distance. That leads ing a life sentence preserved for the rest us to be able to see the bad driving behav- Oct 11 2013 of the offender’s life has been denied. iours like following too closely, unsafe lane REGINA - Government investigators have The Ontario Appeal Court has dismissed changes and passing on the right.’’ cleared a Regina police officer of any an appeal filed by the Innocence Project on (Global Calgary) wrongdoing for shooting a man’s dog. behalf of Amina Chaudhary, who was found The Public Complaints Commission says guilty in 1984 of killing her lover’s eight- the officer’s decision to shoot the dog in the year-old nephew. saturday home of Peter Cote last March was justified Chhaudary continues to claim her inno- October 12, 2013 because it was a vicious animal. cence and has asked the federal government The Regina Police Service has said the for a ministerial review of her case. Oct 12 2013 officer killed the pit bull while chasing an as- Her lawyers initially argued autopsy photo- EDMONTON - While officers in Ed- sault suspect. graphs that could help clear her name had dis- monton’s Canine Unit should have The officer said he fired after the pit bull appeared due to inconsistent preservation rules. been celebrating their results at the got into a scuffle with a police dog and the At an appeal hearing last month, how- Police Canine Trials, officers instead dog’s handler. ever, lawyer Alan Young focused instead on are thanking the community for the Hundreds of people complained about the the potential risk to the rest of his client’s file, support they’ve received after the loss shooting on Facebook at the time, prompting including samples of hair and soil. of police service dog Quanto. the police to temporarily close the Regina Po- But the three-judge panel upheld an “It’s a very difficult void to fill, but it lice Service Facebook page. earlier ruling in the charter challenge that certainly helps when the community rallies The commission says while the death of found Chaudhary’s charter rights hadn’t been around us, and we’ve certainly seen that,” the dog was unfortunate, the officer is not breached because she hadn’t suffered from said acting Staff Sgt. Troy Carriere, an officer guilty of misconduct. the loss. with the canine unit. Quanto, a German Shepherd with over Oct 11 2013 Oct 11 2013 a hundred arrests to his name over his four SASKATOON - Investigators have CHARLOTTETOWN - A longtime RCMP years of service, was fatally stabbed while cleared Saskatoon police of wrongdo- officer in P.E.I. has admitted to steal- he and his handler Constable Matt William- ing after someone complained a man ing prescription drugs from a police son pursued a man fleeing a car with stolen was dropped off outside the city in locker. plates. frigid temperatures. Cpl. Blair Ross pleaded guilty Friday in Paul Joseph Vukmavich, 27, is facing The case involves 19-year-old Drayton Bull. provincial Supreme Court in Charlottetown charges of possession of stolen property, dan- The Public Complaints Commission says re- to charges of stealing exhibits with a value of gerous driving, criminal flight and cruelty to ports and records show no Saskatoon Police Ser- more than $5,000, breach of trust, and pos- an animal. vice cruiser was outside the city limits on Jan. 21. session of oxycodone, morphine and hydro- “Yes, this was a service dog, but it was Witnesses say Bull had been drinking that morphone. also a family pet,” said Carriere. “I think a lot night and only can recall part of what hap- The 25-year veteran of the force was sus- of people can relate to that.” pened, saying he encountered someone wear- pended with pay and charged in June after the The unit has received an outpour of sup- ing black pants. commander of the King’s District noticed ir- port from across the country, fielding hun- The commission says there is no reason- regularities with some of the exhibits stored dreds of emails, phone calls and letters of 6 support, many offering donations to the Ed- Michael Stanley since Oct. 1 when the elec- 2001 death of an Oak Bay man, Owen Pad- monton Police Foundation. tronic monitoring bracelet he was wearing more. Sgt. Bart Lawczysnki, also with the ca- was cut off. Todd told homicide investigators that in nine unit, says those donations will go to- An arrest warrant was issued for Stanley July 2010, while on duty, he met with his cous- wards equipment, training and hopefully a on charges of breach of recognizance, mis- in, a suspect in the homicide investigation. permanent memorial for all of Edmonton’s chief and driving offences. The Vancouver officer checked the police fallen four-legged officers. Police say Stanley, who has a history of database and revealed to his cousin informa- “We’d like to see our own monument,” offences against women and children, crossed tion that investigators had found out about Lawczysnki said. the border into Washington State. him. “It’s the least we can to for Quanto,” Car- Alberta justice spokesman Dan Laville “Cst. Todd also admitted that in Septem- riere added, referencing a temporary monu- says Alberta prosecutors don’t believe the ber 2010, approximately two months after his ment outside of the kennels. charges Stanley faces warrant triggering the cousin made a confession to him, he provided EPS has lost five service dogs in the line extradition process. information to his cousin on how to avoid po- of duty. He says the requirement that Stanley lice investigative techniques, including wire Carriere says with an increase in violent wear an ankle bracelet is not a criminal mat- taps and surveillance,” according to docu- crimes in Edmonton, with 17% of calls they ter in itself. ments released by the Office of the Police deal with related to armed robberies or other- Complaint Commissioner. wise weapons related and criminal flights up When Todd, a 13-year veteran with Van- 35% this year, officers who are part of he 12- Sunday couver police, was told he was being investi- dog unit depend on their dogs to save lives. october 13, 2013 gated for professional misconduct, he recant- The loss put a dampener on results from ed evidence that he had provided to homicide the annual Canadian Police Canine Dog Tri- investigators. Oct 13 2013 als in Sannich, B.C. where Edmonton’s po- Todd was the subject of a misconduct in- lice service dogs placed third, fourth and fifth VICTORIA - New details have emerged vestigation, led by New Westminster Police overall. about how a Vancouver police officer, Chief David Jones, which last month found “It’s quite a feat for our unit, it’s quite found guilty of corruption for interfer- Todd guilty of corrupt practice, deceit, ne- a feat for our members of our unit,” Lawc- ing in an Oak Bay homicide case, al- glect of duty, improper disclosure of informa- zysnki said. legedly helped his cousin, a suspect, tion and discreditable conduct. While Williamson and his family still dodge the investigation by providing Jones recommended that Todd be fired. mourn the loss of Quanto, the officer has in- sensitive police information. Todd remains suspended without pay. dicated he will return to the unit when he’s Cst. Stephen Todd was placed on admin- Todd has asked for a public hearing to ready and EPS has already started the search istrative leave in 2011 after allegations arose fight the recommendation that he be dis- for a new recruit. that he lied during a homicide probe into the missed. (Edmonton Examiner)

Oct 12 2013 SASKATOON - A Saskatchewan moth- er whose son died in a police holding cell after she says he was mistaken for drunk says it has been a long three years waiting for a public inquiry. The Saskatchewan government has an- nounced an inquest into the death of Brandon Daniels will begin this month. Daniels, 19, was found dead in his cell at the Saskatoon Police Service Detention Cen- tre on July 3, 2010. Daniels was from the Mistawasis First Nation and his mother, Sherry Bird, says he had gone to Saskatoon to shop and got sepa- rated from his family. Police said in a news release at the time that Daniels was arrested because he ap- peared to be intoxicated. But Bird says her son was taking pre- scribed medication for a suspected mental ill- ness and took a large dose of acetaminophen after getting lost.

Oct 12 2013 EDMONTON - The Alberta government says it won’t ask the federal govern- ment to seek the extradition of a con- victed sex offender who police say fled Canada for the United States. Police have been trying to track down

7 The details about Todd’s involvement pecially hard to prevent people from using the UK policing culture has a more restrained were released in the police complaint com- illegal substances, said Darrell Burnham of use of force than many other countries, such missioner’s notice of public hearing. Coast Mental Health. as the US. Under the Police Act, any officer can At a roundtable discussion on mental ACPO today conceded that the police request a public hearing if the discipline in- health and addictions last month, the City of service has “nothing to fear” from direct en- cludes either dismissal or a reduction in rank, Vancouver estimated about 70 per cent of the try. But the Police Federation, which repre- said deputy police complaint commissioner city’s homeless or single-room occupancy sents officers to the rank of chief inspector, Rollie Woods. residents are seriously addicted and/or seri- has strongly opposed the policy, and today “The commission here has absolutely no ously mentally ill. Many also have brain in- reiterated its view. “To command a policing choice,” Woods said. juries due to physical trauma, medical causes, operation effectively, a senior officer needs “He has the right to have this evidence or drugs. first-hand experience of responding in an op- reviewed by a retired judge.” A five-point plan announced by Vancou- erational capacity to incidents they would not The public hearing could be lengthy and ver’s mayor and the police chief includes encounter in any other walk of life,” said its complicated because of numerous witnesses calls for an additional 300 long-term, mental- vice chairman Steve White. from Oak Bay police, Vancouver police and health treatment beds, the establishment of a Chief Superintendent Irene Curtis, presi- any witnesses Todd’s lawyer wants to call. crisis centre, and more housing facilities to dent of the Superintendents’ Association, has On Dec. 10, 2001, Padmore, 31, was vis- help the mentally ill. said that direct entry creates “unnecessary iting his mother’s house on Hampshire Road risks” in Oak Bay. (The Week) He left the house and returned suffering monday from a head injury. october 14, 2013 Oct 14 2013 His mother called 911 and Padmore was EDMONTON - A judge has denied the taken to hospital, where he died the next day. Oct 14 2013 appeal of an Edmonton police officer In March 2011, Oak Bay police arrested a accused of using excessive force dur- The UK government has unveiled 38-year-old Oak Bay man, reportedly a friend ing an arrest. plans to allow foreign police chiefs of the Padmore family, who faced charges of Sgt. Aubrey Zalaski was charged with to run forces in England and Wales, manslaughter. However, Crown prosecutors unlawful or unnecessary exercise of author- despite criticism from police officers did not approve those charges. ity after a complaint from Timothy Ferguson. across the country. Oak Bay Police Chief Mark Fisher said The charge stems from an incident on De- In a statement to MPs today, Policing the homicide investigation remains open. cember 24, 2003 when officers found Fergu- Minister Damian Green announced plans to When asked if Todd’s actions hampered the son upset, violent and intoxicated. bring in chief constables from countries with police investigation, he said, “Obviously it’s According to documents from the pro- a similar legal framework and policing model not helpful.” vincial Court of Appeal, Ferguson was so to the UK, such as the US or Canada. “I think when the Vancouver police de- distraught that he had thrown a full-sized He also revealed plans to recruit officers partment became aware of it, they handled it propane barbecue off the 10th floor balcony directly to the rank of superintendent and appropriately and started a Police Act inves- and attempted to fight off the officers who fast-track officers to the rank of inspector. tigation. wrestled him down and handcuffed him. Currently all police officers must start as a (The Province) It was at that time that Sgt. Zalaski ar- police constable and work their way up. rived to assist the officers. The BBC says the introduction of the Oct 13 2013 He indicated he found Ferguson kicking scheme, which would see at least 20 police and thrashing on the ground. VANCOUVER - A man wielding a knife superintendents and 80 fast-track inspectors Police placed a spit mask over Ferguson’s threatens to kill passersby, another recruited next year, will bring to an end 180 head and it was at that point, with Ferguson man says he’ll burn down an apart- years of tradition of bobbies starting their ca- still fighting, that Sgt. Zalaski said he used his ment building and kill everyone inside, reer on the beat. Taser four times in two minutes. and a third man is taken to hospital af- It will also “bring to an end the polic- It was after the fourth stun that Ferguson ter trying to throw himself off a bridge ing version of the closed shop”, according to stopped kicking. for the second time in one night. Green. He was then taken to a hospital where he The incidents happened within one week “This will open up policing to bright and was verbally abusive to the staff. last month, and Vancouver Police say they’re talented people from all walks of life who are Originally, an internal police investiga- part of the shocking statistics that show a seeking a new challenge,” he wrote in yester- tion found there wasn’t enough evidence to dramatic spike in such scenarios over three day’s Sunday Times. convict any officers involved in the case. years involving the mentally ill and their sub- The plans to recruit chiefs from abroad Following that decision, Alberta Law sequent contact with law enforcement and the would also open the way for senior foreign Enforcement Review Board (LERB) directed city’s hospitals. officers such as Bill Bratton, the former New charges be laid against Sgt. Zalaski. Police say 21 per cent of their calls involve York police chief, to take over British police Zalaski appealed the decision. someone who is mentally ill, and apprehen- forces. This particular proposal was opposed Justice Jack Watson denied Zalaski’s ap- sions under the Mental Health Act have risen during the consultation period by the three peal and upheld the decision of the LERB that 16 per cent between 2010 and 2012. main associations representing police officers concluded Zalaski did use excessive force Rising drug use and a lack of safe hous- of all ranks: the Police Federation of England against Ferguson. ing are major factors in the problem that is and Wales, the Police Superintendents’ Asso- In the report, Justice Watson said he overwhelming limited resources, experts say. ciation of England and Wales, and the Asso- found the board acted within the range of op- Drug problems are pervasive in many ciation of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). tions open to it and the points raised by Za- large communities, but in a city like Van- They argued that there is enough talent laski in his appeal did not “raise an extricable couver, where dial-a-dope is a “five-minute within UK police forces, that UK policing ex- or discrete question of law”. delivery’’ that is “faster than pizza,’’ it is es- perience is crucial to running a force, and that (CTV Edmonton)

8 viewed the June 2010 deaths of Byron and He says the province should pay the le- Ryan Gray. gal costs of families whose loved ones are the Tuesday The Grays died after the speeding Jeep subjects of a fatality inquiry. october 15, 2013 they were in crashed into a tree and a house Tyndale also recommends that police while being chased by police. cruisers be equipped with in-car camera Oct 15 2013 Tyndale says the Jeep was going up to 154 systems. VANCOUVER - A B.C. lawyer who be- kilometres per hour, but ruled that what hap- came the first barrister in Canada to pened was not a high-speed police pursuit. Oct 15 2013 be sentenced for helping a criminal Byron Gray died at the scene of the crash TORONTO - When a police officer organization could face more time be- and his nephew Ryan Gray died later in hos- is faced with a person advancing hind bars. pital. with a sharp object, their response Crown prosecutors are in the B.C. Court Tyndale praised the performance of po- is based on the person’s behav- of Appeal, fighting the one year jail term lice and emergency medical technicians. iour and not their mental state, an handed to Vernon, B.C., lawyer William Ma- He made recommendations that fall outside inquest into the police shooting stop in April, after the 46-year-old admitted the mandate of fatality inquiries to deal with is- deaths of three mentally ill people to aiding a North Okanagan gang known as sues that could prevent similar tragedies. heard Tuesday. The Greeks. According to the Crown, Mastop gave the gang sensitive court documents that led to several murders, but the trial judge ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to prove the in- formation led to the deaths, and Justice Mark McEwan also found only a portion of Mas- top’s behaviour was criminal. McEwan ruled Mastop’s actions were lit- tle more than a “convenience’’ to the Greeks and said the moderate jail term should re- flect Mastop’s loss of career and community standing. Mastop hasn’t practised since 2010 and also faces additional disciplinary action from the Law Society of B.C., which says it could impose penalties ranging from reprimand to disbarment. The appeal court hearing is slated for a single day and a decision from the panel of judges is expected to be reserved.

Oct 15 2013 REGINA - A dog found lying in a Re- gina alley with a badly injured leg is getting help from the city’s police of- ficers. Staff Sgt. Evan Bray says a constable on routine patrol was flagged down Sunday by a frantic woman who found the dog. It’s believed the dog was hit by a car. Police took the canine to an emergency animal hospital, but the dog’s owner couldn’t be found, so officers pooled their own money to pay for its treatment. Bray says veterinarians believe the dog will survive and they’re also hopeful they can save its leg. Officers have unofficially named the dog “Copper’’ and hope to find him a good home once he’s recovered.

Oct 15 2013 CALGARY - An Alberta judge has made no recommendations to change police pursuit policies following the deaths of two men in a fiery crash in Calgary. Provincial court Judge Mark Tyndale’s fatality inquiry report released today re-

9 Reyal Jardine-Douglas, Sylvia Klibin- torch, and to focus more energy on my family ters from the Canadian Association of Police gaitis and Michael Eligon were gunned down and community interests.” Chiefs and dozens of victim advocacy groups by Toronto police in separate but similar inci- Chief Ewles began his career with DRPS supporting the Montreal-based cable station, dents in the last three years. in May 1982 as a uniformed officer in Ajax. the CRTC stands by its Aug. 8 decision. The coroner’s inquest - which is expected Over the course of his career, he has The telecommunications regulator says to raise questions about police use of force worked in every community in Durham and Géracitano’s channel can’t prove it makes and how front-line officers deal with the men- served in a range of areas including tactical Canada a safer place by broadcasting news tally ill - heard from a police expert who re- support, the criminal intelligence branch and on wanted felons and missing people. Fur- peatedly said officers have to react rapidly to the employee services branch. thermore, the CRTC said that in an era with evolving situations. He was promoted to the rank of inspector social media and interactive mobile news, a “Someone’s condition isn’t what drives in 2002, followed by deputy chief in 2006, linear medium like television is no longer the the response. It’s that behaviour that we have and chief in 2007. most viable means for public-safety aware- to respond to,’’ John Weiler, the use-of-force “Under his command, we have witnessed ness. ADR’s less than stellar ratings didn’t co-ordinator at the Ontario Police College, a significant drop in crime and among the best help its case before the CRTC either. explained. clearance rates in the country,” said board Géracitano is appealing the decision. “Once there’s an imminent threat, all we chairman Roger Anderson. “We are working “The way I see it is, you never need a do is respond.’’ more closely with our community partners smoke detector until your kitchen’s on fire,” Weiler spent the better part of three hours as a problem-solving organization and not Géracitano said. “This isn’t about who sells detailing police use-of-force training, focus- simply reacting to criminal incidents. Chief the most hotdogs, it’s about helping people. ing in particular on the model that officers Ewles has positioned the DRPS for long-term For the families of victims, for the families use as a basis for making their decisions in success and his contributions will leave their of missing children, we’re an important ally, the field. mark on the service for years to come.” we’re an essential service.” “The model is dealing with behaviours. The board will begin the process of se- Before venturing into television in 2002, Not reasons for behaviours,’’ he noted when lecting the next chief in the coming weeks. Géracitano owned a company that manufac- asked why the model didn’t have a category (Durhamregion.com) tured award plaques and other signs. It wasn’t on how to deal with the mentally ill. until his business was robbed that Géracitano “We can’t list everything in the model Oct 15 2013 decided to found a cable network with the (like impaired driving and domestic vio- MONTREAL - Vincent Géracitano sole purpose of solving the crimes that slip lence). The model speaks to all those things mortgaged his home to launch the through police investigators’ fingers. now although they’re not laid out in point Avis de Recherche (ADR) channel on To do that he had to pay Videotron up- form.’’ Quebec cable television. ward of $40,000 each month just to have When asked by lawyers for the families access to 750,000 subscribers. The sta- of those killed if integrating specific informa- tion ran on a shoestring budget, limiting tion on how to better respond to mentally ill its broadcasting to slides of mug shots and people would be beneficial, Weiler said such missing people. an addition could cause confusion. But that changed in 2007, when the But when presiding coroner David Eden CRTC approved ADR’s request for manda- asked if a different approach to the mentally tory carriage in Quebec. Under the licensing ill would be adopted if scientific evidence agreement, the network thrived and Géraci- showed it reduced the chance of death, Weiler tano was able to climb out of the financial said such an approach would be “fabulous.’’ hole he’d dug for himself and expand ADR’s Weiler emphasized that “de-escalation is operations. always a consideration.’’ If a situation has ADR hired 10 full-time journalists and progressed beyond a certain point though, When the bills started piling up, he began producing original content that police he said officers under threat are trained to doubled down on his investment, using his say became a reference tool for departments use their firearms to protect themselves and parents’ house as collateral so he could keep throughout Quebec. others. pumping money into the station. “In Quebec, it’s the only television sta- “We don’t train officers to shoot to kill,’’ “It was putting me in the poorhouse and tion that helps us keep our hope alive,” said he noted. “We train them to shoot to stop.’’ almost putting the people who loved me in Pina Arcamone, the director general of Que- This week’s proceedings are hearing the poorhouse,” Géracitano told The Gazette. bec’s Missing Children’s network in a docu- primarily from policing and mental health “But I had a dream that ADR could work and ment released by ADR. “To take away ADR experts in order to give the presiding jury a for a time it really took off.” is to take away hope in that glimmer of hope.” thorough grounding in current practices. Now it appears his gamble may have Henri Provencher also came out in sup- been in vain as ADR — a station designed port of ADR in a statement of support dur- Oct 15 2013 to help police find missing people and track ing the CRTC licensing hearings last April. OSHAWA - Durham’s police chief is down fugitives — saw its renewal applica- Provencher’s granddaughter Cédrika went set to retire as of May 31, 2014. tion for mandatory carriage rejected by the missing over six years ago, when the 9-year- The Durham Regional Police Services Canadian Radio-television and Telecommu- old was approached by a man who claimed to board accepted the retirement of Chief Mike nications Commission in August. Without the be searching for his lost dog. She hasn’t been Ewles at its Oct. 15 meeting. $1.6 million in annual funding ADR collected seen since. “It is with mixed emotions that I made the in mandatory subscriber fees from Videotron “When someone takes the time to help announcement to the board today,” said Chief and other carriers, Géracitano fears his life’s you like that, it’s a gift from heaven,” he said. Ewles. “I’ve committed my entire profession- work may go up in smoke. “The station is an asset for families like ours.” al life to an organization in which I take great Police departments across Canada are ral- Without the mandatory licensing funding, pride, that I love and care deeply about. But lying behind ADR, calling it an essential tool ADR has had to gut its newsroom, laying off after seven years as chief, it’s time to pass the for law enforcement in Quebec. Despite let- 10 of its 16 employees. 10 “I had thought that good corporate citi- Hussain had also asked the tribunal for be affected by any remedy of instatement of zens would step forward to sponsor us, but composition data on race, ethnic origin, age the applicant to the Evaluation and Research who wants their company’s logo next to at recruitment and citizenship of every Otta- Coordinator position may be granted, it is my a missing kid or a picture of a criminal?” wa police employee, civilian and sworn. But view that the incumbent needs to be put more Géracitano said. “I built this station with my the police service told the tribunal it doesn’t formally on notice of the allegations raised own hands. I installed every wire in that stu- collect such data on its employees. in this proceeding and the fact that his rights dio, I was on the front lines from Day One. “With regard to the applicant’s broader may be affected,” the tribunal vice-chair said And now it’s slipping away.” request, I am not prepared to order the re- in the Sept. 19 decision. (Montreal Gazette) spondent to conduct a workforce survey to Andrew Berry, hired as the police ser- obtain composition data that it does not al- vice’s evaluation and research co-ordinator Oct 15 2013 ready possess,” the tribunal vice-chair said in in January 2012, has filed notice to the tri- WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Police Ser- a Sept. 19 decision. bunal saying he will intervene. Had he not vice plans to double its contingent of Hussain has also asked the tribunal to intervened, the tribunal said, its upcoming crime analysts in a move it believes remove the successful candidate from office hearing would “proceed in the absence of his will help officers be more proactive in and hire him for the job. participation.” preventing crime. “Given that the incumbent’s rights may (Ottawa Citizen) There are currently six analysts working for the police department; the goal is to add another eight. Several are in training right now. “You deploy to where the problem is, or where it will occur, as opposed to simply waiting for the problem and then responding to it,” Chief Devon Clunis said to members of the Winnipeg Police Board. A crime analyst examines what kinds of crimes are being perpetrated, where they are happening and at what time of day, to better determine trends and policing needs. The move is part of the department’s “smart police initiative,” Clunis said. “If we’re not using that type of analysis, we’re just waiting for crime to happen and then pursue it.” Winnipeg is behind other jurisdictions when it comes to this kind of policing, Clunis said. (Shaw Media)

Oct 15 2013 OTTAWA - Ontario’s human rights tri- bunal has ordered the Ottawa police to disclose raw race and age data from a pool of 128 job applicants to a failed candidate who filed a discrimination complaint saying he lost the job com- petition to a “younger, white male.” Syed Hussain, the unsuccessful candi- date, was selected for an interview after ap- plying for the police service’s evaluation and research co-ordinator position but was told in January 2012 that he didn’t cut the mustard. Hussain first made an informal complaint with the Ottawa Police Service. The hiring decision was reviewed and confirmed. Hus- sain has since filed a formal complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and in an interim decision, the Ottawa Police Ser- vices Board has been ordered to disclose data from all the applicants to show the raw num- ber and percentage of candidates who self- identified on the basis of gender, aboriginal status, visible minority or disability and age. Tribunal vice-chair Mark Hart also or- dered the service to disclose the same raw- data breakdown for the pool of candidates selected for an interview.

11 “It’s not for reporting crimes in prog- “There is no free pocket money that we ress,” said Russell adding that it also doesn’t can go to to implement some of those things,’’ wednesday include reporting crimes such as home bur- he said. october 16, 2013 glary where police would be going to the From 2001-2005, there were 85 suicides, scene to take fingerprints or other evidence. accidental deaths and homicides in federal Oct 16 2013 There are 11 different incidents that can prisons. Corrections complied with one-third HAMILTON, Ont. - Hamilton police be reported through the app, from counterfeit of ensuing coroner jury recommendations, want to arm their frontline officers currency to driving complaints, bike thefts or the inquest heard. with Tasers now that it’s approved found bikes, graffiti, mischief or theft under Head said the response to jury sugges- by the province, but city officials say $5,000 and others. tions is now “more robust.’’ they want Queen’s Park to pick up A Crime Maps feature on the app lists Head also tells the inquest into the death the tab. crimes and also maps them. The app also has of Ashley Smith that training recommenda- Hamilton’s general issues committee has a section entitled ‘Is this yours?’ linking to tions are difficult to implement because of voted to ask the province to pay the nearly $1 the Victoria PD’s Pinterest site with photos of staff shortages. million cost for the proposed expansion of the stolen goods that have been recovered. Head was deputy commissioner during use of conducted energy weapons. “We’ve been successful in returning sto- Smith’s incarceration, but was away on lan- Currently, 219 of Hamilton’s police offi- len property through Pinterest,” said Russell. guage training during a significant part of her cers are trained to use Tasers. The app also links to the police depart- stay in federal prisons. The police force’s $992,000 request, ment’s YouTube, Twitter and Facebook ac- He says he had little to do with her case based on the province’s decision to allow for counts as well as its news releases, job post- management. their expanded use, would train and equip an- ings, blog posts, Crimestoppers, recruiting Smith, 19, strangled herself in her seg- other 592 officers. and other information. regation cell in Kitchener, Ont., in October The province announced in August that it (Vancouver Sun) 2007. would permit all frontline police officers to carry stun guns, but said police forces would Oct 16 2013 Oct 16 2013 have to find the funding in their budgets. CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. - Po- TRURO, N.S. - RCMP in Nova Scotia Ontario police chiefs and associations lice investigating a double-murder say a suspect in a suspicious death had been pushing the government for years suicide in eastern Newfoundland say died Wednesday from a self-inflict- to expand the use of stun guns, and coroner’s it’s believed the shooter had been in- ed gunshot wound during a lengthy inquests have recommended expanding their volved in a romantic relationship in standoff with police. use since 2004. the past with the female victim. Police say the 49-year-old armed man (CHML, The Canadian Press) A 35-year-old woman and 45-year-old barricaded himself inside a car in the Por- man were shot and killed last night at the tapique area, about 40 kilometres west of Villa Nova Plaza in Conception Bay South. Truro. Oct 16 2013 Constable Talia Murphy says there is in- The standoff lasted most of the day while VANCOUVER - Want to report that formation to suggest the woman was killed a crisis negotiator tried unsuccessfully to driver who just ran a red light? Find inside a doctor’s office at the plaza, while the coax the man from his car. out what crimes have been happening man was shot in the parking lot. Sgt. Alain LeBlanc says the man died in your neighbourhood? Both were pronounced dead at the scene. shortly before 6 p.m. There’s an app for that. The body of a 43-year-old man, who po- He says the man was a suspect in the The Victoria Police Department has lice believe was responsible for the shootings, death of a 47-year-old woman, whose body become the first law enforcement agency was found today in a cemetery in St. John’s. was discovered at an apartment in Truro in Canada to launch a mobile app that lets Murphy says police are not searching for Heights earlier in the day. people report crimes and get instant alerts any other suspects, and there is no threat to No names have been released. of missing children, crimes in their area and the public. LeBlanc says the incident has been re- other news. She also says a handgun believed to be ferred to the Nova Scotia Serious Incident While the RCMP has a smartphone app used in the incident has been recovered. Response Team for investigation. that pushes out news and information, the The surrounding area where the shooting Victoria PD, which was among the first Ca- happened was quickly cordoned off last night Oct 16 2013 nadian police agencies to start using social by police. TORONTO - The Toronto Police Ser- media, has gone a step further with the launch Businesses were shut down and residents vice Mounted Unit made history on the of its interactive app. advised to stay inside their homes as police weekend, becoming the first team to “We’ll be the first branded police app searched for the shooter. win every category at the North Ameri- that allows you to do things like report crime can Police Equestrian Championships and track crime online,” said Victoria po- Oct 16 2013 in Virginia. lice spokesman Mike Russell. “The app has TORONTO - Significant gaps remain Constable Gregory John, 44, and Troop- an alerts feature that allows us to send push in dealing with mentally ill prison- er, a 10-year-old Percheron-Hackney cross, notifications specifically if there is a missing ers, Canada’s top correctional official won in the uniform, equitation, obstacle and child, if there’s a traffic block... admitted on Wednesday even as he team obstacle categories and received that “Those alerts from a public safety point urged jurors to avoid making costly best overall combined score. The TPS team of view are what we are most impressed recommendations to address the also won first place over all. with,” he said. “Literally within five minutes problem. “I truly didn’t expect for it to happen, of a kid going missing I can have a picture of Don Head, commissioner of Correctional but it did,” Constable John said. “The stars that kid to every person who has our app on Service of Canada, told the Ashley Smith in- aligned.” their smartphone.” quest that expensive suggestions would be About 60 teams from across North Amer- It doesn’t replace calling 911. rejected. ica competed this year – slightly down from 12 previous years since several of the U.S. teams Canada’s access laws give all Canadians were unable to compete because of the fed- the right to access records the government eral government shutdown. thursday holds, subject to certain exemptions; the laws NAPEC evolved out of a long history of october 17, 2013 have been described as essential to democrat- police equestrian competitions that focused ic accountability. Oct 17 2013 mainly on equestrian skill: walking and trot- Despite those certain exemptions, federal ting in circles at command. But these days, its OTTAWA - The RCMP has still not hired institutions are legally obliged to acknowledge focus is on riding as it relates to actual police the staff needed to help work through receipt of all requests and confirm each will be work – officers compete on obstacle courses its backlog of access to information processed and responded to within 30 days. to simulate real-life scenarios. requests, even though approval for the The act permits for extensions beyond One of the courses involved a stopped extra bodies came seven months ago. the initial 30 days, within reason. Any re- pickup truck. As the officer and his horse The federal information commissioner quester who feels their rights under the act first told Global News in August that the approached, something popped out of have not been honoured can complain to Le- RCMP had stopped responding to people us- the back of the truck, and the officer was gault’s office, which can take departments to ing access-to-information legislation to ob- judged on how well he kept his horse calm court, but doesn’t have the power to compel tain documents. (and complete the exercise by placing a any action. At the time, a spokesman with the RCMP ticket on the truck’s windshield). Another The RCMP, meanwhile, hasn’t even been said the force’s commissioner had approved had officers navigating their horses around completing the first step of the process, ne- increased funding and staffing levels for the a raised sewer grate with smoke billowing glecting to send receipts of acknowledge- access request branch this past March, but out from it. ment, Legault said. that only some of the positions had been These competitions reaffirm the unique RCMP spokeswoman Gagnon, however, filled. stressed that the work is still happening be- skill set of police horses and officers in the The message today is the same. mounted unit, Constable John said. On an av- hind the scenes. “Some of these positions have already “We feel it is necessary to clarify that the erage day, mounted officers might be called been staffed, and it is anticipated that the rest RCMP has not stopped responding to ATI re- upon to conduct crowd control, to attend will be staffed in the near future,” spokes- quests,” an email read. a ceremonial event, or simply to patrol the woman Sgt. Julie Gagnon wrote in an email The force saw a significant increase in the city’s downtown. this week. volume and complexity of requests received “It’s not a natural thing for your horse Once those positions are filled, Gagnon during 2012-13, including a 274 per cent in- to ride the streets of Toronto,” he said. “So said she is confident the extra bodies, coupled crease in the number of pages reviewed com- you have to look out for the pitfalls that with the increased funding, will “result in im- pared to the previous year, she wrote. could cause you or your horse harm – you mediate improvements.” That year, Gagnon said, the RCMP pro- have to watch that a parked car is not going When asked, the spokeswoman didn’t cessed and completed 823 requests. to turn out into a lane. …If you see a de- provide a timeline for when the force expects “Of the total number of access to infor- livery-truck driver at the back of his truck, to fill the remaining jobs. mation and privacy requests received, the you have to anticipate that he might drop Some details of what Information Com- RCMP was late in acknowledging approxi- something or make a loud noise and scare missioner Suzanne Legault knows about the mately three per cent within the 30-day time- your horse.” RCMP’s troubles with fulfilling their legal frame required,” Gagnon wrote. “But we can This was the fourth year that Constable obligation under the legislation were pub- assure you that we have not stopped respond- John has competed at NAPEC. He described lished in her annual report to Parliament ing to any request.” Trooper as “not perfect at everything, but in- Thursday. (Shaw Media) credibly good at everything.” The report reveals administrative com- Because this is the second year he and plaints against the RCMP, which include com- Oct 17 2013 Trooper have competed together, their time plaints regarding timeliness and cost, more REXTON, N.B. - The RCMP say they spent training and working together put them than tripled between 2011-12 and 2012-13. are enforcing a court injunction issued at an advantage, he said. Constable John The national police force is also ranked against shale gas protesters blocking spends, on average, about seven hours a day second on a list of the top 15 institutions re- a highway in eastern New Brunswick. with Trooper – feeding him, grooming him sponsible for new complaints to the commis- Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh says Route and tending to his everyday needs. sioner’s office, jumping up from fourth place 134 near Rexton is closed, as is a section “Trooper and I have a unique bond right the previous year. of Highway 11 between Rexton and Sainte- now,” he said. “He trusts me, and the idea that “The RCMP was so understaffed that it Anne-de-Kent. he trusts me allows me to push him a little was unable to even acknowledge receipt of She says the Mounties moved in around bit.” access requests within the 30 days in which 7:30 a.m. today, but she couldn’t say how He also credited the rest of his team for it should have,” Legault wrote in her report. many officers were involved or how many the NAPEC victory. “The biggest prize for us “We have held a number of meetings with the protesters were at the site. when we go down there is to win first place as RCMP, and it has put a plan into place to re- The injunction was granted earlier this a team,” he said. “It shows everyone that, you spond to our concerns.” month to end the blockade of a SWN Re- know what, all our horses are great. That’s The commissioner’s office says it will sources compound. what we’re about.” monitor the effectiveness of that plan. The protesters, who include members of But Constable John’s secret weapon in In August, the commissioner said what the Elsipogtog First Nation, want the energy Virginia? Candy canes. she has seen with the RCMP is unprecedent- company to stop seismic testing and leave the “He absolutely loves them. … You give ed, despite a slew of other problems she says province. him some, and he’ll start to pat you down to are slowly corroding the access system. Last week, Premier David Alward and give you more,” he said of Trooper. Failing to respond to people using the Chief Arren Sock agreed to set up a work- “I took a couple down – quietly.” system is a failure to respect the most basic ing group to find a resolution and the RCMP (Globe and Mail) obligations of the act, Legault said. hadn’t enforced the injunction.

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