National and International News Clippings & Press Releases
Providing members with information on policing from across Canada & around the world
March 6, 2014
Canadian Association of Police Governance 157 Gilmour Street, Suite 302 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0N8 Tel: 613|235|2272 Fax: 613|235|2275 www.capg.ca
BRITISH COLUMBIA ...... 4 911 changes coming ...... 5 Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu's contract extended again ...... 6 VPD to feds: illegal pot dispensaries not high priority...... 7 ALBERTA ...... 10 Public directs police to deal with cybercrime ...... 10 SASKATCHEWAN ...... 12 Detective to head Sask. police force ...... 13 MANITOBA ...... 14 Police chopper proves worth claims councillor ...... 14 Sex-offender program victim of funding cuts ...... 16 ONTARIO ...... 17 Emergency response top priority ...... 17 Council does not control police service ...... 20 Sarnia Police Services' year-end finances are $316,500 in the black ...... 21 Ontario Police Chiefs Launch Province-wide Crime Prevention Campaign ...... 22 Search is on for new Police Chief ...... 23 Police preparing plan to provide front-line officers with Tasers ...... 24 Guelph business owners sue city police ...... 26 Tasers Assist In Force ...... 27 Independent body to probe Toronto Police Service ...... 28 Ontario police chiefs launch crime prevention campaign ...... 29 Halton police give tips on fraud prevention ...... 30 Watchdog probes Ontario Provincial Police DNA sweep ...... 31 Ontario Provincial Police to assume ‘oversight’ over police investigation into Rob Ford, at Chief Bill Blair’s request ...... 33 Courts ensure police service transparency ...... 36 City police get own crest ...... 37 Police chief wary of OPP letter ...... 39 Chatham-Kent police warn of fraudulent Canada revenue scam ...... 40 QUEBEC ...... 43 NEW BRUNSWICK ...... 43 Fatal shooting involving Rothesay police captured on body cam ...... 43 NOVA SCOTIA ...... 45 Halifax police shop for social media-scanning software ...... 45 Halifax police shop for social media-scanning software ...... 46 PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND ...... 47 NEWFOUNDLAND ...... 47 NATIONAL ...... 47 Minister MacKay Highlights the Government's Efforts to Combat Sexual Abuse Against Children ...... 49 Cost of violent crimes topped $12 billion in one year: Justice Canada study ...... 52 Canada’s Violent Crimes Cost $12 Billion Per Annum ...... 54 Fraud, Scams, Identity Theft Costing Canadians Millions ...... 55 Statement from Minister Blaney to Launch Fraud Prevention Month ...... 57
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS ...... 58 Mental health nurses to help police ...... 58 Why your use-of-force model may be flawed (and how to fix it) ...... 59 Caln police close to settling contract ...... 61 Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer critical of ACLU forum on reforms ...... 63 First woman of Somali descent joins St. Paul Police Department ...... 65 Cops on horses: An old-fashioned police technique in the modern age ...... 67 Austin police Taser use to get more review ...... 69
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
With their special set of strengths, female officers 'essential' to RCMP
Samantha Lego Surrey Now March 6, 2014
SURREY - Cpl. Marina Wilks remembers when her mentor told her of having to carry her gun around in a purse and wear a skirt as part of her RCMP uniform. Times have changed since women first joined the RCMP in 1974.
Throughout Wilks' 17 years of service, spending the last 11 years at the Surrey detachment, she has worn the same policing uniform as her peers. In fact, Wilks said she has always felt she's been treated equally in the maledominated field. With the upcoming International Women's Day on Saturday, March 8, she said it reflects how far women have come in policing. Wilks says it's not groundbreaking for a female officer to be working general duty in Surrey.
"It was groundbreaking 35 years ago," she said. "My whole career, there's been women in the force so it's normal to me that women are here." Hailing from a small town in New Brunswick, Wilks has known she wanted to be a Mountie since she was a child. She has no regrets about her career choice and says her favourite part is the people she gets to work with. She and her coworkers see the worst sometimes and she points out that not everybody shares the same experiences that police do. "So when you go through those mad, bad, sad incidents, it's an automatic bond."
Whether man or woman, each officer brings a different set of strengths and weaknesses to their team.
Females are predominantly known for having a higher degree of "softer skills," she said. Wilks points out women often use emotional connections and communication skills because they generally don't have the size and weight of male officers.
Wilks says she has always felt a sense of equality in the RCMP.
"We don't think any different when a female comes in, it's 'Yay, we have another police officer,'" Wilks said. "And that's what we want." Although historically that has not always been the case, and Surrey RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet believes that a lot of old-fashioned attitudes have been adjusted and changed along the way.
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As he said, "There's no going back, and not only can they do as good of a job as a man in any circumstance, but they bring that special skill set that very often a man will not provide." Paquet says that with the range of services provided to the City of Surrey by the RCMP, having both male and female officers is "essential in doing the best job we possibly can do."
International Women's Day is an annual event celebrated around the globe. http://www.thenownewspaper.com/news/with-their-special-set-of-strengths-female- officers-essential-to-rcmp-1.877852#sthash.NCMv1NCC.dpuf
911 changes coming
Charelle Evelyn Prince George Citizen March 4, 2014
When you call 911 this fall, the first person you speak to will be based in the Lower Mainland, not in Prince George.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is not renewing its contract for call-answer services with the RCMP, instead signing on with E-Comm - an emergency communications centre located in Vancouver.
In addition to all municipalities and electoral areas within its boundaries, the RDFFG also provides 911 services to the Cariboo Regional District, the Regional District of Bulkley- Nechako and most areas of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine.
Currently, all 911 calls come into a Public Safety Answering Point in the RCMP's North District operational communications centre. A call-taker determines the nature of the emergency and transfers the call to the appropriate response agency - fire, police or ambulance.
Fire calls are dispatched to the fire operations communication centre in Prince George's Firehall No. 1 and paramedics are dispatched through a Kamloops location. Calls for police are transferred to other dispatchers within the North District centre.
In switching to E-Comm, which already handles about 90,000 911 calls annually for southwest B.C. municipalities and regional districts, those calls will still be dispatched the same way.
"We are pleased to be able to provide more cost-effective 911 call answer services without compromising the reliability of the 911 system that residents in our region have trusted," said RDFFG board chair Art Kaehn, in a press release.
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The switch is expected to save the regional district nearly half of its annual $730,000 expense on 911 call answer services through cost sharing among the increased amount of communities already served by E-Comm.
Last year, 71,000 calls were received in the boundaries of the regional district's 911 service - 28,209 from inside the RDFFG.
The details of the switch are still in the early stages, but there aren't expected to be job losses at the RCMP public answering safety point, said civilian member Chris Spence. Instead, the six 911 call go-between jobs will be phased out through attrition. http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/community/911-changes-coming-1.874931
Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu's contract extended again
Jeff Lee Vancouver Sun March 4, 2014
Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu has had his contract extended until 2017.
On Tuesday the Vancouver Police Board announced the chief, who has led the department through some tough times, including the Stanley Cup Riot, will have two years added to his current contract, which was set to expire in 2015. He was first given a five-year contract in 2007, but in 2010 it was renewed until 2015.
Mayor Gregor Robertson, the board chair, said he appreciated the police chief's attention making Vancouver a safer city.
"Chief Jim Chu's leadership has contributed immensely to Vancouver's progress toward the goal of becoming the safest major city in North America, including a record low homicide rate," he said in an emailed statement.
In 2013 Chu's salary was reported to be more than $314,000.
Unlike Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, who has been at virtual loggerheads with Mayor Rob Ford over the mayor's drug and alcohol issues, Chu enjoys a good relationship with Robertson. Only a few times since Robertson was elected in 2008 have the mayor and chief differed publicly on opinions. One was over Robertson's view that there should be a moratorium on the use of Tasers. Another was over Chu's belief that the federal government should appoint a Downtown Eastside czar to deal with the considerable social problems that afflict many of the area's residents.
However, the two men share some common views, including the need for a regional police force. Chu's department has also strongly endorsed the city's "four pillars" harm reduction strategy for drugs in the Downtown Eastside. Although a creation of a former
6 city administration, the policy forms a strong backbone of Robertson's own agenda for reducing homelessness and mental health problems in the neighbourhood. http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Vancouver+Police+Chief+contract+extended+ag ain/9578566/story.html
VPD to feds: illegal pot dispensaries not high priority
Jeff Lee Vancouver Sun MARCH 5, 2014
Vancouver police say they won’t bust down the doors of the city’s many illegal medical marijuana dispensaries April 1 when a new federal law will delegate weed production and distribution to a handful of licensed premises.
Coun. Kerry Jang — who closely watches health issues — minced no words, saying the city believes the federal law interferes with the right of people to access medicine. As a result, the city won’t make any extraordinary efforts to shut down “professionally run” medical marijuana dispensaries, even though most operate without city business licenses.
“It really is about access to medication, and the rules under the new federal law would essentially block people from getting their medication,” he said. “We just don’t see these dispensaries as something we need to shut down, as long as they are only providing marijuana to people who medically need it.”
The city’s position is being hailed by medical marijuana dispensary operators as a reasoned response to a new federal law they believe will force the production of medical marijuana underground.
The Vancouver Police Department said it is aware of at least 29 illegal medical marijuana dispensaries in the city but doesn’t raid them as long as they are only selling to people who have a medical marijuana permit.
“I don’t think for now there is any plan to change the current drug policy that is in place to fit specifically with these changes,” said Const. Brian Montague. “We don’t have plans for massive raids on April 2nd.”
Jang said the city doesn’t have a business licence geared for dispensaries, in part because of what he said were confusing Health Canada rules.
This isn’t the first time the city has defied the federal government on the issue of illegal drugs and how they affect society. Vancouver was the first city in Canada to adopt a “four pillars” approach to harm reduction around drug use, including a law enforcement
7 policy that focuses on public safety and street disorder rather than busting people for simple possession.
Under successive councils since 2003, the city has defended the establishment of Insite, a needle exchange program in the Downtown Eastside that has helped curb HIV infection rates and overdoses. The facility won a 2011 Supreme Court ruling which found that Ottawa’s attempt to close it threatened to undermine the health, safety and rights of addicts.
Health Canada says the marijuana dispensaries represent a public safety issue because they are both illegal and unregulated.
But the police who enforce drug laws in Vancouver disagree. Montague said police have shut down three medical marijuana dispensaries in recent years that were found to be fronts for trafficking. But the dispensaries now in business don’t appear to be doing that, he said.
“The dispensaries all operate differently, but some of them you go into and it’s like walking into a medical clinic,” he said. “Everybody is wearing lab coats and somebody comes in with their license to possess marijuana medically, and they sell them the marijuana and it is like filling a prescription at your local pharmacy.”
Montague said police need to put their scarce resources toward public safety and reducing street disorder, not go after dispensaries that are providing medicine to people.
“From our policy and our perspective, if these places are operating in a professional, safe manner — and obviously the criminal element of the sale of marijuana is illegal — and if there is no additional element that would cause us concern for public safety, then we use our discretion not to enforce certain drug laws,” he said.
The city’s position on medical marijuana dispensaries comes as new information from Health Canada suggests that B.C. accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the more than three million marijuana plants authorized for production in Canada. Under the new law, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government will require the country’s 22,000 producers to stop production and force patients to buy their weed directly from a small number of licensed growers.
The law would not allow the commercial licensed growers to sell anything other than dried marijuana, even though many patients want or require weed extracts, tinctures and oils, claiming they are more effective.
A group of B.C. patients are suing Health Canada, arguing the changes will result in severe shortages of pot, higher prices, and will violate their constitutional rights.
Health Canada has countered in court documents that the current Medical Marijuana Access Regulations were never intended to permit the growth of an industry. The
8 system came into place in 2001 with 85 permits; in 2013, more than 29,719 personal use permits were issued. Health Canada projects that by 2024 there will be 450,000 recognized users, creating a taxable industry with potential annual revenues of $1.3 billion.
Adam Greenblatt, the director and co-founder of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, applauded Vancouver’s position.
“The Vancouver Police Department and the city council have a very progressive and intelligent approach to cannabis that should be replicated in cities across Canada,” he said. “Marijuana is essentially decriminalized in the city of Vancouver. The unlicensed medical suppliers, the dispensaries, are even less of a priority.”
That view, he acknowledged, is not shared elsewhere in the country. In Montreal, Greenblatt is planning to shut down his dispensary and transition his customers over to licensed commercial grow operations.
“There is divergence in the dispensary community, and Vancouver is a special place for dispensaries,” he said. “I have observed there is more of a compliance with the (new regulations) on the east coast and not so much on the west coast.”
Dana Larsen, the director of Vancouver’s Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary and leader of the Sensible B.C. decriminalization campaign, said dispensaries aren’t worried about the April 1 deadline.
“Not for us in Vancouver, no. We are already in a grey area of the law and that area doesn’t get any different shade of grey come April 1,” he said. “I am sure people will continue growing marijuana after the law is passed. People have been growing marijuana in B.C. for decades.”
Larsen said a few dispensaries operate with city business licences, likely as health food stores. He said his shop on East Hastings doesn’t have a business licence but the city has never shown any concern because it operates professionally and won’t sell weed to anyone who doesn’t have a medical permit or a doctor’s note.
Larsen said Canada has a lot to thank dispensaries for.
“From my perspective, if we had not had dispensaries out there doing what they have been doing, we would not have this medical marijuana situation we have now. Dispensaries led the way and broke the trial for medical marijuana use as medicine,” he said.
“It is because of the sacrifices and bravery of dispensary operators that we now have medical marijuana system in Canada.”
Those producers now seeking Health Canada permits say they are not concerned about Vancouver’s illegal dispensaries. Anton Mattadeen, the chief strategy officer for
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MediJean, which has received preliminary approval to produce 90,000 kilograms of weed the first year at a new facility in Richmond, said there is no shortage of demand.
“I don’t see it will have an impact, and the reason I don’t is because from all of our research this is a very, very big market. We will be servicing Canadians across the breadth of the country,” he said. “The Vancouver market represents one specific area.”
But Mattadeen also believes patients will judge dispensaries for themselves. “It is one thing to say that their product has the best quality. It is quite another to have to go through the quality checks, and from what I can see this is something dispensaries do not go through today.” http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Vancouver+police+feds+enforce+marijuana/957 9703/story.html
ALBERTA
Public directs police to deal with cybercrime
Sandra M. Stanway Brooks Bulletin
A good cross section of the community was represented at the fourth community police consultation in Brooks with the 65 attendees giving consistent priorities and concerns to the Brooks RCMP along with a new one: cybercrime.
“The world of public safety is a relatively narrow world,” said Staff Sgt. Tom McNulty following the consultation.
“There’s nothing new and magical to come out of this but it’s very important we hear from the community and the community hears from us,” he said.
For the first time since the consultations began in 2009 cybercrime was raised. “That’s a concern going forward,” he said.
Cybercrimes include everything that uses a computer as the object of a crime to hack, phish or scam to posting or obtaining child pornography.
The request is timely. In their third annual report card on cybercrime in Canada that was released in 2013, Websense Security Lab found that Canada is a good host for cybercrime.
“Foreign companies and governments are increasingly setting up virtual bases in Canada to drive corporate espionage attacks,” states Websense.
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“There seems to be a lack of call to action. For example, we are not seeing big takedowns in Canada.” The company also recommends that long-term policies are put in place by the public and private sectors and legislation also needs to be in place to push ISP providers into monitoring malicious behaviours.
In the last year, Websense found, Canada is ranked 10th for hosting malware sites, fourth for hosting phishing sites, which is a 67 per cent increase over 2012 and third for hosting advance malware cybercriminals who set up virtual bases in Canada.
Unlike previous day long consultations, in 2009 and 2011, police were given clear directions to remove drugs from the streets or stop bad drivers.
The results from last week’s meeting will take a little longer.
“We’ve got another step or two to go through to identify the priorities and the initiatives that will satisfy those priorities,” he said.
Police and the safe communities committee will determine which organization should take responsibility for which priority/concern.
McNulty said in addition to cybercrime, other concerns raised were to ensure streets are safe for both drivers and pedestrians, pathways and sidewalks are lit and youth are supervised during after school programs.
RCMP were asked to attend sporting events in uniform.
Concerns also focused on youth/community relations and drug, tobacco and alcohol use among teens.
“I was extremely happy with the day. We had great conversation. We had great input from a relatively good cross section of the community,” McNulty said.
“I don’t think there’s any little pockets out in the community that weren’t represented that would say anything different,” he said.
At some point over the next few weeks, McNulty will present a one year plan to both the city and county councils.
“If something changes in the community, like cybercrime, we’ll have a different plan next year or it might be the same plan. These go from year to year with tons of opportunity to carry them forward,” he said. http://brooksbulletin.com/default.aspx?contentid=2529
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SASKATCHEWAN
Rare glimpse into the lives of RCMP dispatchers
Heather Polischuk Leader-Post March 6, 2014
REGINA -- It’s a small piece of the world the public rarely sees, but one that can mean the difference between life and death.
On Wednesday evening, RCMP “F” Division’s communications centre — formally called the Division Operational Communications Centre, or DOCC — opened its doors to the media to provide a rare glimpse into the lives of the call-takers and dispatchers who form that crucial link between the public and police officers.
The women and men of the DOCC are experienced multi-taskers, the jugglers responsible for ensuring calls are taken, needs assessed and police or other emergency crews dispatched. At the heart of the job is safety - that of the people on the other end of the line as well as the people responding.
And with a whole province to look after, that’s no easy feat.
In just a few minutes on Wednesday night, Jenn Matt deals with several calls, one of two screens atop her desk showing mapped-out locations pertaining to the calls that are coming in from all over the province — one a car stuck in the ditch near Regina, one an alarm in Humboldt, one a concern about a person in possible medical distress in a northern community.
Matt’s job is to listen, ensure the right questions are being asked and answers received, and to relay that information to the people who can help.
“It will be steady tonight, I think,” she says between calls as her fingers race over the keyboard, her second screen showing details she’s adding about the call she’s just taken.
Matt’s shift doesn’t end this night until 5 a.m., but she accepts the shift work as just another part of a job she loves.
“My mom actually works (as) a dispatcher with the Regina Police Service, so it’s all in the family ...,” she says.
“Any other job that I’ve ever had, it never fails, I quit in two years, I’m bored because it’s just monotonous. It’s the same thing over and over and over again. With this, it is the same thing, but it’s always a different story behind it.
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"And it’s a lot more satisfying than just pushing paper. You actually get to help people and actually do something good for somebody." http://www.leaderpost.com/Rare+glimpse+into+lives+RCMP+dispatchers/9585784/stor y.html
Detective to head Sask. police force
Ronald Zajac The Recorder and Times March 5, 2014
The Brockville Police Service's lead detective is moving west to the Prairies and up in rank.
Det.-Sgt. Paul Ladouceur, supervisor of the city force's criminal investigations branch, will be the new police chief in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
Ladouceur's last day on the Brockville force will be Friday, March 14.
“It's a big step forward, that's for sure,” Ladouceur said Wednesday.
The 45-year-old Montreal native, who moved to Ottawa at a young age and also grew up in Almonte, said he is making the move in order to be a police chief but remain in a small community.
“There's a lot of similarities in the size of their service compared to our service in Brockville,” said Ladouceur.
Estevan's police service has 27 uniformed officers, compared to 40 for Brockville, he noted.
“It's a good fit,” added Ladouceur.
He spent 11 years on the beat with the London, Ont., police force before moving to the Brockville police, where he has served 12 years.
Ladouceur said the pending Ontario Provincial Police costing, which could result in a decision to replace the Brockville Police Service with an OPP contract later this year or in 2015, played no role in his decision to head west.
“This is a personal choice for me and my family,” he said.
Ladouceur added he did not apply for the job of Brockville's police chief when former Chief John Gardiner announced his departure in November.
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He cited among his top accomplishments in Brockville the investigation of tragic incidents, such as the 2010 murder of Valerie Xavier, and last year's hit-and-run death of teenager Aaron Stevenson, and “being able to bring closure to those families.”
Ladouceur will take a month to settle his affairs and move before starting the top job in Estevan April 14.
Brockville police services board chairman King Yee Jr. said Wednesday the decision on how – or if – to replace Ladouceur belongs to Acting Police Chief Scott Fraser.
“How he chooses to deploy personnel will be his call,” said Yee.
The board chairman congratulated Ladouceur on his promotion, saying people have always spoken highly to him of Ladouceur's work. Fraser said it's premature to discuss replacing Ladouceur, adding every vacancy, planned or unplanned, brings a new opportunity to review operations.
“We are certainly exploring every opportunity available to us,” said the chief.
The force recently went from 42 officers to 40, and it must find a balance between efficiency and its top priority of public safety, added Fraser.
The acting chief also praised Ladouceur as a competent officer. “He will leave a void there,” added the chief. http://www.recorder.ca/2014/03/05/detective-to-head-sask-police-force
MANITOBA
Police chopper proves worth claims councillor
Joyanne Pursaga Winnipeg Sun March 03, 2014
The city's police chopper is great at catching suspects but has a bit tougher time maintaining staff, according to a new report.
The report headed to the city's police board Friday reveals Air1 assisted with 2,793 service calls and led to the capture and/or arrest of 200 suspects in 2013.
"There are countless examples of where we've seen a lot of benefit from it," said Coun. Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands), chair of the city's police board.
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Fielding said the chopper's ability to respond to a broad array of crimes ensured value for the $1.5 million provincial cost to run it last year.
The calls covered 283 domestic disturbances, 275 suspicious person reports, 136 break and enters, 126 assaults, 58 incidents of shots fired, 44 stabbing reports, 38 gun calls and 25 stolen vehicles, among many other crimes.
Unfortunately, the report notes Winnipeg faces tough competition to staff the chopper, with one tactical flight officer position left vacant by a promotion since April 2012.
"There's significant competition in the market for hiring," said Mike Sutherland, president of the Winnipeg Police Association. "That's been an issue in almost every jurisdiction."
The union leader said the challenge to find these skilled applicants may be increased by the fact many officers must switch departments along a set timeline due to an officer transfer policy. The city report mentions the promoted employee was transferred from his unit and police hope to fill the vacancy through scheduled service transfers this spring. But Sutherland was unsure how transfer timelines apply to this specific department.
Fielding noted operational reviews led by the WPA and an external consultant both found weaknesses in the transfer policy, which are now being reviewed.
Winnipeg police declined to answer questions about the report until it is discussed by the board on Friday.
Sutherland stressed the chopper itself offers a valuable policing tool, thanks to its ability to ensure police catch criminals in the act and possibly prevent chances to re-offend.
"The risk to the public is much less," said Sutherland.
As public safety improves, though, some concern remains for those operating the vehicle. The service recorded 10 to 12 direct laser strikes on the chopper last year from offenders on the ground, with four to six strikes during one incident.
Sutherland said the public must wise up to avoid that key safety threat.
"I think people have no idea how dangerous that is. You're endangering not only the lives of the flight crews but also individuals on the ground in the event of a collision," he said. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2014/03/03/police-chopper-proves-worth-claims- councillor?token=fb3540ca71b3b94dfb421f17bfb05395
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Sex-offender program victim of funding cuts
Carol Sanders Winnipeg Free Press March 04, 2014
A program aimed at helping high-risk sex offenders not to reoffend faces staffing and program cuts after losing its federal funding.
Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), which has 18 projects across Canada, found out last week Correctional Service Canada will no longer fund it after March 31. Correctional Service Canada said it does not have $2.2 million in its budget to support the national program.
"It's been our longest-term supporter," said Joan Carolyn, director of the program in Winnipeg that started in 1999. "To lose someone like that is a big deal."
CoSA says its 700 volunteers across Canada currently support 155 sexual offenders.
"We're trying to get people, if they believe in something like this, to contact their MPs and let them know," said Carolyn.
"For the Winnipeg group it will mean the loss of some highly valued staff," she said of the federal cuts.
Its entire operating budget is $135,000 and it will lose $25,000 in federal funding. At the end of September, the program will lose another big chunk of funding from the National Crime Prevention Centre -- an arm of Public Safety Canada -- when a five-year contract wraps up, she said. For Winnipeg, it means losing another $47,000 a year, said Carolyn.
The program is made up of volunteers who form a "circle" around a high-risk offender released into the community. With the support of local professionals, people connect with the offender while keeping an eye on them and holding them accountable so they don't reoffend.
"The purpose is no new victims," said program volunteer Adam Klassen Bartel in Winnipeg. "That's why we do what we do," said the 27-year-old.
"I really appreciated the way they went about trying to make communities safer for everyone and I wanted to be a part of that," he said.
The offenders committed "terrible acts" but "it's not realistic to keep them in jail forever," said Klassen Bartel.
He said he was disappointed but not surprised about the federal cuts.
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"You hear about the news of all the money going toward more prisons, and harsher prison sentences -- it seems to be going in a different direction," he said.
The program has been supported by the federal government since 1994 when it began in Ontario. A community of concerned Canadians responded to the release of Charlie Taylor, a notorious child-sex offender. Taylor was surrounded by a group of volunteers committed to supporting him while holding him accountable for his actions. Taylor died 12 years after his release with no more victims, Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) said in a news release.
The program has become a model copied in the U.S., United Kingdom and several other European Union countries.
Correctional Service Canada did not respond to a request for comment Monday. In Winnipeg, Circles of Support and Accountability also receives funding from the Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba and the Church Council on Justice and Corrections, said Carolyn.
The National Crime Prevention Centre is nearing completion of a $7.5-million national evaluation of CoSA. It concludes this September but Correctional Service Canada, an arm of Public Safety Canada, has decided not to wait and is pulling its support in March.
In Winnipeg, Circles of Support and Accountability will continue to support the 12 "core members" it's now working with but eight or so people on the waiting list may have longer to wait, Carolyn said. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/sex-offender-program-victim-of-funding-cuts- 248318241.html
ONTARIO
Emergency response top priority
Ronald Zajac The Recorder and Times February 28, 2014
Getting officers out to as many emergency calls as possible now tops traffic safety as citizens’ top policing priority, according to a city police survey.
While “emergency calls for service” might sound like the obvious top choice to a survey question about police priorities, respondents used to be more concerned about road safety.
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“If you went back in our business plan, in 2006, road safety was number one,” Acting Police Chief Scott Fraser told the police services board Thursday.
The survey, completed online and through door-to-door visits in November and December, asked Brockville residents what they value most in their policing services, what they consider the biggest issue facing the local police force and other related questions.
The results of the survey will help the city police force formulate its next three-year business plan, to be completed this year and remain in effect until 2016.
Fraser offered board members an early look at the survey results, involving questions that did not require a written response.
Staff members are still going through the more complex responses and will present more comprehensive results later this year.
The early results involve roughly 400 respondents.
“It certainly gives an indication of what 400 people in the community thought,” said Fraser.
“It’s a little snapshot,” added councillor and police board member David Beatty.
A key question asked respondents to rate their top policing priorities among six options.
Emergency calls for service took top priority for the majority of respondents, just over half of whom chose that option.
Community patrol came in a distant second, followed by community-based crime prevention and road safety.
Rounding out the list were assistance to crime victims in fifth place and criminal investigation services at sixth.
Most respondents in these early results, or 48.2 per cent, live in the area south of the train tracks, while 30.1 per cent live in the area north of Highway 401 and 16.7 per cent A key question asked respondents to rate their top policing priorities among six options.
Emergency calls for service took top priority for the majority of respondents, just over half of whom chose that option.
Community patrol came in a distant second, followed by community-based crime prevention and road safety.
Rounding out the list were assistance to crime victims in fifth place and criminal investigation services at sixth.
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Most respondents in these early results, or 48.2 per cent, live in the area south of the train tracks, while 30.1 per cent live in the area north of Highway 401 and 16.7 per cent are in the midtown area. The remaining five per cent don’t live in Brockville but pay taxes to the city.
In another question about people’s levels of satisfaction with a range of police services, the bulk of respondents came down in the “satisfied” area, followed by “somewhat satisfied” and “very satisfied.”
However, the written responses to come don’t paint a universally rosy picture, the chief conceded.
“There were candid responses that we went through,” said Fraser.
Those answers also show a population that fondly remembers the days when police officers were more visible in the main core and wish they could have them back, said Fraser.
“People remember the day, not too long ago, when there were two beat officers on King Street.”
Those days are gone because the city has grown northward and the police force has recently shrunk, added the chief.
“We had 42 officers; we now have 40,” he said. “Like everyone else, we’re doing more with less.”
A key question asked respondents to rate their top policing priorities among six options.
Emergency calls for service took top priority for the majority of respondents, just over half of whom chose that option.
Community patrol came in a distant second, followed by community-based crime prevention and road safety.
Rounding out the list were assistance to crime victims in fifth place and criminal investigation services at sixth.
Most respondents in these early results, or 48.2 per cent, live in the area south of the train tracks, while 30.1 per cent live in the area north of Highway 401 and 16.7 per cent are in the midtown area. The remaining five per cent don’t live in Brockville but pay taxes to the city.
In another question about people’s levels of satisfaction with a range of police services, the bulk of respondents came down in the “satisfied” area, followed by “somewhat satisfied” and “very satisfied.”
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However, the written responses to come don’t paint a universally rosy picture, the chief conceded.
“There were candid responses that we went through,” said Fraser.
Those answers also show a population that fondly remembers the days when police officers were more visible in the main core and wish they could have them back, said Fraser.
“People remember the day, not too long ago, when there were two beat officers on King Street.”
Those days are gone because the city has grown northward and the police force has recently shrunk, added the chief.
“We had 42 officers; we now have 40,” he said. “Like everyone else, we’re doing more with less.” http://www.recorder.ca/2014/02/28/emergency-response-top-priority
Council does not control police service
Midland Mirror February 28, 2014
The Midland Police Services Board (MPSB) is not a committee of council and is not accountable to our elected politicians in that capacity. There is a good reason for this, as it removes political interference and conflicts of interest from law enforcement.
Instead, it is an independent body established by provincial legislation called the Police Services Act. The board represents community interests and is accountable to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
Council may want to control the police, but never has and will not under the current legislation. They can approve or disapprove the carefully considered operating budget tabled to them by the MPSB. They do not have a secondary line-by-line critique or control of the expenses.
The primary role of the board is to establish, after consultation with the chief of police, the overall objectives and priorities for the provision of police services. The board cannot direct the chief with respect to specific operational decisions or day-to-day operations.
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Want to have your say? Go to the MPSB business planning meeting on March 12 at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre. I will. If you want to really get involved, get yourself appointed to the board.
Brian Cummins, Midland http://www.simcoe.com/opinion-story/4390645-council-does-not-control-police- service/
Sarnia Police Services' year-end finances are $316,500 in the black
Tyler Kula Sarnia Observer February 27, 2014
Officers on long-term disability and unexpected retirements contributed to a $316,500 surplus for Sarnia's police service in 2013.
The final numbers for the year were presented at Thursday's Sarnia Police Services Board.
The largest savings sadly came as a result of two officers off on long-term disability, said Chief Phil Nelson. They received pay through insurance instead.
“I'd rather have my officers back to work,” he said. “It's a heck of a way to get a surplus.”
About $16,000 is expected to go towards more Tasers for front-line officers, Nelson said. The rest goes back to the city.
Other savings from the $14.8-million budget include better gas mileage from new Dodge Charger cruisers, fewer sick days that contribute to less overtime, and fewer officers having to appear in court through improved scheduling.
All of those can fluctuate year to year, Nelson said, and in the case of gas prices, week to week.
There were also three unexpected retirements or resignations in 2013, he said, explaining if a first class constable retires, he or she is typically replaced by a fourth class constable at a much lower salary.
“Those are the savings that you can't plan for,” he said.
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The service has for years had stringent monitoring to try to control overtime, he said.
“ I don’t think anybody has overtime that is policed as much as ours.”
Sarnia's police service has posted a year-end surplus for at least the past three years, he said. http://www.theobserver.ca/2014/02/27/sarnia-police-serivces-year-end-finances-are- 316500-in-the-black
Ontario Police Chiefs Launch Province-wide Crime Prevention Campaign
Canada News Wire February 27, 2014
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) today launched its 2014 Crime Prevention Campaign, which focuses on promoting citizens' role in preventing crime and building safe and healthy communities.
"Police across Ontario believe that strong, safe, and healthy communities are built when citizens partner with their police services in preventing criminal acts before they happen," said Chief Paul Cook (North Bay Police Service), OACP President. "Our goal is to raise public awareness and empower people throughout our communities to become involved in their personal safety and that of their neighbours, friends, and co-workers."
The campaign features an informational crime prevention booklet that will be used by police services across Ontario to promote local crime prevention initiatives. Topics covered in the "Your Community. Your Safety. Get involved" booklet, include getting involved in local crime prevention initiatives and programs, when to call 9-1-1, securing your home or business from break-ins and other property crimes, vigilance against on- line fraud, identification theft, and other cybercrimes, and guarding against vehicle theft.
The OACP's 2014 Crime Prevention campaign will support the work of police officers in working with members of the community, crime prevention organizations, business, schools, and governments to make communities safer for everyone. Police urge citizens to call police immediately whenever they believe a crime is or has been committed and never to take the law into their own hands.
The OACP campaign is made possible through the support and partnership of a number of partners: The Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, Interact Association, LawPRO, Via Rail Canada, Humber College, The Canadian Security Association, RSR Global, Accident Support Services International Ltd., and Canpar.
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To download our new "Your Community. Your Safety. Get involved" booklet, visit www.oacp.ca
Members of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police serve their communities as the senior police leaders in municipal, regional, provincial, national, and First Nations police services across Ontario. http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1762668#ixzz2v6ziOkHL
Search is on for new Police Chief
Darren Taylor Soo Today February 27, 2014
The search has begun in earnest for a successor to Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Chief Bob Davies.
Chief Davies (pictured) announced in December he will be retiring after 37 years of service with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, effective June 30, 2014.
Davies has served as Chief since December 1996.
It was announced by Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Board Chair Ian MacKenzie at Wednesday’s Board meeting that Tanya Todorovic of Toronto consulting firm Odgers Berndtson has been brought in to help find a new Sault Police Chief.
The Board will be looking at applicants from within the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and across Ontario, MacKenzie said.
MacKenzie told reporters that Odgers Berndtson has “a great deal of experience in assisting in the hiring of Police Chiefs across the province.”
Odgers Berndtson is being paid approximately $35,000 to assist Sault Police, though MacKenzie said that figure “isn’t completely finalized yet.”
MacKenzie said Todorovic met with three members of the Board Tuesday, and will be following up by telephone with two other Board members who were not available, including Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Debbie Amaroso.
MacKenzie said Todorovic was given a list of about 36 stakeholders who the consultant may wish to confer with to gather input regarding what those stakeholders are looking for in a new Sault Police Chief.
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MacKenzie said the consultant will be meeting with “a dozen or so” of those stakeholders, more if she wishes to.
Those stakeholders include law enforcement agencies, service groups and other entities, including the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Anishinabek Police Service, service groups such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, educational institutions and others.
MacKenzie said: “We’re assuming they (the consulting firm) will have quite a group of potential candidates for us because they’ve been so involved with so many other municipalities looking for police chiefs across the province.”
“Hopefully we’ll get some candidates finalized by the end of May.”
MacKenzie said: “They (the consulting firm) will get to the point where the last two, three or four candidates will come to the Board, and then the Board will make the decision as to who we actually hire.”
MacKenzie said the Board hopes to have a new Police Chief in place by early June, or July 1 at the latest. http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=69280
Police preparing plan to provide front-line officers with Tasers
Bill Sawchuk St. Catharines Standard February 27, 2014
The facts speak for themselves, the Niagara Regional Police say. The more Tasers they have on the street, the less force police need to use.
“Here is what happens,” Constable Jay Wooley of the NRP’s training unit said. “The police show up. A guy has already assaulted someone. He’s aggressive. He says he’s not going to jail. He’s swearing at us.
“The sergeant shows up with a Taser. The next thing you know, a guy who was going to fight three or four officers says I don’t want any part of that. We move in and cuff him and there are no injuries to anyone.”
The statistics back up what Wooley said after a presentation to the Police Services Board Thursday as the service prepares to give Tasers to its front-line officers.
Injuries from the use of a Taser are far lower than other non-lethal, use-of-force options available to police — the baton, pepper spray or empty hands — according to NRP statistics.
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From 2010 to 2013, Tasers were used 80 times. There were just two injuries to citizens and seven to police. The injuries to police occurred in altercations before an officer with a Taser arrived on the scene.
The injuries skyrocket when baton, pepper spray or empty hands are used. These methods were used 299 times resulting in 118 injuries to citizens and 47 to police.
“The less violent, the better for us,” Wooley said. “We don’t want to get in fights. It’s a long career. The last thing we want to do is be mixing it up with people. The Taser can reduce that.”
Niagara Region council agreed to put $670,000 back into the police budget recently, the exact estimated cost to buy stun guns for its front-line NRP officers.
The NRP already has 59 conducted energy weapons for its specialized units and uniformed supervisors. On Aug. 27, the province announced it would allow the use of Tasers by front-line officers.
The Taser incapacitates a victim using an electric shock, which disrupts the brain’s signals and causes pain and muscle contractions. Usually, there are no lasting effects.
There are fears Tasers will be misused by police. Tasers have turned deadly when used on a person who is highly agitated, or if someone is continuously or repeatedly jolted.
Individuals with hearing loss or other “non-visible disabilities” who may wrongly appear to not be complying when police issue commands are vulnerable.
A key part of the training strategy is helping officers de-escalate confrontations so the use of a Taser isn’t necessary, Wooley said.
“It’s a very real concern and the ministry has recognized that,” he said. “We have always recognized that.
“The best way is talking. Ask them what is wrong. Ask them what is bothering them. Ask how we can we help. We want to talk to people — not just threaten the use of force or repeatedly say you are under arrest.
“We want to break that cycle, calm you down and get you to come on your own free will.”
Niagara Regional Police Chief Jeff McGuire said the plan to provide Tasers to front-line officers is nearly complete.
“We will be reporting to (the police board) in a month,” McGuire said of the deployment play. “The legislation already permits us to do this. We will consult with the board and inform them what will be the best deployment model for us.
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“We have capital money set aside in the budgeting process. We will have to make some purchases and arrange a training schedule and get them deployed.” http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2014/02/27/police-preparing-plan-to-provide-front-line- officers-with-tasers
Guelph business owners sue city police
Guelph Mercury March 03, 2014
GUELPH — The husband-and-wife owners of a new-and-used computer store downtown are suing Guelph Police, alleging electronic and personal items were seized illegally, customers intimidated, business disrupted and one of the owners made fearful for his safety.
Qingxian Zhang, 47, and his wife, Guangyun Hou, 48, of PCTrust Computers on Macdonell Street are demanding more than $1 million in damages in a statement of claim filed in Guelph Superior Court in early February and served Wednesday.
"We'll await for the police to serve a statement of defence," said Davin Charney, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, noting the defendants have 20 days to do so, unless they appeal for an extension.
Defence lawyer Judith Stoffman issued a statement Friday that the Guelph Police Service confirms receipt of the statement of claim. "As the matter is before the Court, it would be inappropriate for our Service to address the claim or specific allegations," she wrote.
"The claim speaks for itself, really," Charney said.
It has not been tested in court and a trial date has not been set.
The court action relates to purported incidents in 2012 and lists as defendants the Guelph Police Services Board; Chief Bryan Larkin; Staff Sgt. David Pringle; Det. Const. Matthew Drenters; Det. Const. Julie Meier; and Const. Jeff Taylor.
The claim seeks general damages of $700,000 for alleged negligence, malicious breach of duty, trespass, conversion, nuisance, conspiracy, assault and intimidation. It also seeks $250,000 in general damages for breach of the plaintiff's rights and $250,000 in aggravated and punitive damages.
It's also looking for unspecified compensation for loss of time, interruption in business and life routine, and out-of-pocket expenses.
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The shop, opened in 2002, sells consumer electronic goods and offers computer repairs. It's licensed under an annually reviewed municipal second-hand goods dealer bylaw overseen by police.
None of the statements has been proven in court.
The statement of claim focuses on incidents beginning in August 2012, in which police allegedly seized items and documentation, disrupting store operations in the process. It's further alleged police provided no receipts for the items taken, including global positioning devices.
The plaintiffs allege that in a September 2012 visit, police also seized personal items as well as more second-hand items and some new ones for sale.
During one encounter that month, it's alleged Zhang became fearful of an "aggressive" officer.
The statement of claim alleges a dispute with the store owners over how many items were seized in total over the two months. It also alleges police allowed the store's licence to expire briefly before renewal, "causing significant business losses."
The plaintiffs reject a police claim some seized items turned out to be stolen goods, the claim states. http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4392845-guelph-business-owners-sue- city-police/
Tasers Assist In Force
Mike Vlasveld Blackburn News March 2, 2014
Windsor police feel the use of tasers is positively affecting use of force statistics, as they review last year’s numbers.
Inspector Tom Crowley says the number of injuries sustained by citizens or officers was 17, which is close to 2012′s 18. The difference is that more of them have been minor. “Out of those, there were seven or six that there was (taser) probe removal. It’s a very very light mark in the chest area or in the back that just has to be removed, and it just bleeds subtly. We reported that.” Crowley says there have also been fewer injuries to officers.
Overall, there were fewer handguns, impact weapons, aerosol sprays, and hand techniques used in 2013, and police are attributing most of that to the introduction of the taser.
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Only 0.2% of police calls require use of force in Windsor. http://blackburnnews.com/windsor/windsor-news/2014/03/02/tasers-assist-in-force/
Independent body to probe Toronto Police Service
Jason Contant OHS Canada March 03, 2014
Ontario’s Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has announced that it is conducting a review of the Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) use of force, de-escalation techniques and approaches in dealing with people with mental health issues, emotionally disturbed people and people in crisis.
The OIPRD said in a release that the review would examine public complaints filed and evidence collected from complaint investigations, recent high-profile use of force incidents involving the TPS and past reviews and reports involving similar issues. It will also look at TPS policies, procedures and practices regarding use of force as well as equipment, officer training, best practices from other jurisdictions and relevant research and data.
“Recent high-profile cases of Toronto Police Service’s use of force have raised concerns among Toronto citizens and affected public confidence in policing,” said Gerry McNeilly, the head of the OIPRD, in the release. For example, 23 police officers were on the scene of the shooting of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim in the early morning hours of July 27, 2013. Yatim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and the police also deployed a conducted energy weapon. “In addition, my office has received public complaints that are significant enough, in my opinion, to warrant a systemic review.”
The OIPRD said that it had also established the terms of reference for its review. Among other items, it will examine:
* Ontario Police College training in use of force, equipment and the application of the principles of Ontario’s use of force guidelines;
* Police service training in dealing with people with mental health issues, emotionally disturbed people and people in crisis and de-escalation techniques;
* The police use of force model;
* Supervision and accountability for officer training and deployment and for officers dealing with those with mental health issues; and
* The TPS board’s oversight and direction regarding use of force.
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The OIPRD will accept submissions from stakeholders and the public until April 4. A source from the OIPRD said that the arms-length agency is hoping to complete the review within nine months.
The review comes on the heels of similar reviews by the TPS itself and by the Ontario ombudsman. On Aug. 12, TPS chief Bill Blair reported that retired Associate Chief Justice of Ontario Dennis O’Connor would assist the TPS by examining its use of force procedures and making recommendations related to policies, procedures, training and equipment.
On Aug. 8, Ontario ombudsman André Marin said that he would conduct a systematic investigation into the direction provided to police by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for de-escalating conflict situations. It was expected to be completed within a year.
Irwin Nanda, executive vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, said that the federation is calling on the Attorney General of Ontario to impose uniform guidelines across the province that require any police response to focus on de-escalating and diffusing confrontations. Nanda added that the shooting left many questions unanswered, including those related to police supervision, de-escalation, use of deadly force and possible tampering of crime scene evidence. http://www.ohscanada.com/news/independent-body-to-probe-toronto-police- service/1002941914/?&er=NA
Ontario police chiefs launch crime prevention campaign
Welland Tribune March 3, 2014
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police have launched its 2014 crime prevention Campaign, which focuses on promoting citizens' role in preventing crime and building safe and healthy communities.
“We believe that strong, safe, and healthy communities are built when citizens partner with their police service in preventing criminal acts before they happen,” said Niagara Regional Police Const. Derek Watson. “Our goal is to raise public awareness and empower people throughout our communities to become involved in their personal safety and that of their neighbours, friends, and co-workers.”
The "Your Community. Your Safety. Get Involved" campaign features a crime prevention booklet that will be used by police services across the province to promote local crime prevention.
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Topics covered in the booklet, include getting involved in local crime prevention initiatives and programs, when to call 9-1-1, securing your home or business from break- ins and other property crimes, vigilance against on-line fraud, identification theft and other cybercrimes, and guarding against vehicle theft.
To download the booklet, visit www.oacp.ca http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2014/03/03/ontario-police-chiefs-launch-crime- prevention-campaign
Halton police give tips on fraud prevention
David Lea Oakville Beaver March 03, 2014
March is National Fraud Prevention Month and the Halton police want to get the message to the public.
It, in conjunction with numerous government, law enforcement, consumer and volunteer groups, wants to get the word out on how to avoid scams.
Each year, thousands of Canadians of all ages and backgrounds become victims of fraud, said police.
Fraud victims not only suffer direct financial loss, but also the stressful process of reversing the damage fraud and identity theft can do to their credit and credit histories.
The RCMP recently revealed approximately 1 million Canadians are victims of mass marketing fraud and identity theft in Canada annually — at a cost of $10 billion.
They also reported that six in 10 Canadians were targeted by fraud in 2010; organized crime groups conduct nearly 80 per cent of mass marketing fraud; and fewer than five per cent of victims contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
To officially kick off Fraud Prevention Month, the Better Business Bureau and the Competition Bureau of Canada, have released their ‘Top 10 Scams for 2014.’
Topping that list is a scam that involves the victim receiving mail that says they have won a big lottery jackpot.
The scammer instructs the person to send back $30 as a ‘processing fee’ and include their personal details, such as a telephone number and date of birth.
Once the letter is sent, the victim soon discovers the lottery win was not real.
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At this point not only is their money gone, but they are added to a ‘sucker list’ and are likely to receive more bogus offers in the mail, police said.
For a list of other scams, along with information on upcoming Fraud Prevention events and activities visit www.haltonpolice.ca/SpecializedUnits/CriminalInvestigations/Pages/Fraud.aspx.
Halton police are asking people to take time to review fraud prevention tips and strategies to avoid becoming a victim.
Some of these tips include:
• Not responding to emails that feature offers of money, threats of legal action or warnings about ‘compromised security’
• Never providing personal or financial information to anyone in an email
• Not clicking on links in emails from senders you do not know
• Changing computer passwords at least every 90 days, to help protect the security of your information
Anyone with information about fraudulent crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with a message to 274637 (crimes). http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/4393939-halton-police-give-tips-on-fraud- prevention/
Watchdog probes Ontario Provincial Police DNA sweep
Jennifer O'Brien QMI Agency March 04, 2014
LONDON, Ont. -- An Ontario police watchdog is probing the OPP for rounding up DNA samples from dozens of black migrant workers while looking for a sexual assault suspect in Elgin County, Ont., a move critics called racial profiling.
"I'm undertaking the systemic review . . . because of the nature of the allegations in the complaints and because of the number of people involved," said Gerry McNeilly, head of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
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Late last year, police charged a 35-year-old migrant worker from Trinidad and Tobago with the vicious sexual assault of a woman who said she was attacked six weeks earlier, while standing on the front porch of her home near Vienna, Ont.
The man had been working for a local farmer, police said at a December news conference announcing the arrest, made with the help of DNA.
But a Toronto-based advocacy group for migrant workers said police, during their investigation, asked for and obtained from DNA up to 100 other area migrants.
Justicia for Migrant Workers interviewed 44 migrants who voluntarily gave DNA samples and said many of the men didn't match the woman's description of the suspect in any way other than skin colour.
"That's how criminalization occur -- you start identifying people because of their racial characteristics," Chris Ramsaroop of the advocacy group said.
He said the men interviewed ranged from 5-feet to 6-foot-5," 130 to 310 pounds and in age from 21 to 61.
"Because of the colour of their skin, they were treated differently," he said.
The group, which had pushed for a review, welcomed the oversight body's probe.
"We see this as a good, important thing," Ramsaroop said, adding some of the men were contacted at home in the Caribbean with the news.
Ramsaroop said his group is concerned about "reprisals" from the complaint and will watch to see that workers can return to work in Canada as expected this spring.
McNeilly said a systemic review -- the aim is recommendations for future policing, not a reprimand or discipline -- is "the best way to get to the bottom of this."
The probe is only the fourth the public complaint oversight agency has launched since it opened in 2009. It also looked into controversial police tactics used against protesters during the G-20 Summit in Toronto in 2010.
McNeilly, in a statement, said the allegations in the Elgin case "raise the spectre of racial profiling and Charter rights issues."
London MPP Peggy Sattler, the Ontario NDP justice critic, shares those concerns.
"These are migrant workers who have less understanding of their legal rights and how policing operates" in Canada, she said, adding she welcomes civilian oversight. "I think the police welcome it, too. They want to know if they have processes and procedures in place that may inadvertently profile certain groups," she said.
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The OPP couldn't comment directly on the outside review, but Western Region Sgt. David Rektor said the force stands by how officers did their job. He said the police investigation was "professional and thorough." http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2014/03/20140304- 074819.html
Ontario Provincial Police to assume ‘oversight’ over police investigation into Rob Ford, at Chief Bill Blair’s request
Natalie Alcoba The National Post March 5, 2014
Rob Ford has hit out at Bill Blair after Ontario Provincial Police assumed an “oversight” role in the ongoing police investigation into the mayor, saying the chief “is playing political games.”
The Toronto police chief made the request in a letter Wednesday to OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis, which the Toronto Police Service made public.
“As discussed in our recent phone call, I am writing to make a formal request that the Ontario Provincial Police assume an oversight role with respect to Project Brazen 2,” which is the code name for an extensive, months-long probe into the mayor’s affairs, Blair wrote. “As you are aware, Project Brazen 2 arose from the Toronto Police Service’s year-long Project Traveller, focusing on organized crime, violence, guns and drugs,” the chief wrote.
“I am taking this step to avoid the distractions that have assumed such recent prominence. The only public interest here is the continued investigation, without fear or favour, into evidence of possible criminality.”
Upon arriving at city hall at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Rob Ford remained combative.
“The damage has already been done. The chief, obviously, is playing political games,” he told reporters. “It should have been done from the very beginning.”
He was asked if he is worried about being charged. “Charged for what?” he responded. “Charged for what? For an empty vodka bottle or urinating in the park? I want to know how much money they spent for surveilling me and renting planes. I want that number to come out. So that’s just a waste of taxpayers money.”
Later, when pressed on whether he is saying the police won’t find anything, the mayor remained silent.
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At city hall, Councillor Doug Ford said he was pleased by the development. “I’m happy it won’t be so political — maybe,” he said.
Rob Ford’s lawyer dismissed the change, saying provincial police should have run the investigation from the get-go to avoid any conflict of interest.
“Only after (Blair) has been battered, beaten and bruised for close to a year has he finally done the right thing,” Dennis Morris told The Canadian Press.
“It’s meaningless now because I’d guess 99 per cent of the investigation has been completed.”
If there were any charges planned against the mayor, Morris said, police should have laid them already.
Mark Pugash, a spokesman for Toronto Police, said the OPP has not “taken over” Project Brazen 2. He said the investigative team, led by seasoned homicide detective Gary Giroux, remains the same. What has changed is oversight, he said.
“There were people in Toronto who oversaw him, who were there to be consulted, updated, if he needed resources or decisions to be made” outside of the investigative direction of the probe, said Mr. Pugash. That role will now be done by the OPP.
Mr. Pugash stressed that Chief Blair “didn’t have any involvement” in the investigation, but as the chief, he was ultimately responsible and updated occasionally on how matters were unfolding. “That will not happen” now, said Mr. Pugash. He said the chief’s request was spurred on by the “increase in intensity of personal attacks” by the Fords and meant to eliminate the possibility that “these sort of distractions would have an impact on cases before the court or cases that might come before the courts.”
Mr. Pugash declined to speculate on the significance. “I’m not suggesting anybody read anything into this. This is a direct response to the distractions we’ve seen recently.”
But Councillor Adam Vaughan, a former member of the police services board, reacted to the news with a grave face.
“It just underscores just how serious the allegations are and having the OPP come in just helps us make sure that we have confidence that the police work is police work and hopefully we’ll get some answers,” he said. He would not opine on whether charges may be coming against the mayor. “I don’t share the Fords’ constant whining about unfair police powers.. what today’s developments suggest is the situation is getting more and more serious and the investigation is going deeper and deeper into the relationship between the Fords and people who may or may not have committed illegal acts. It signals a much more serious investigation.”
Mayoral candidate Karen Stintz said “I understand the chief has handed it over and I trust his judgment on that.”
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Project Brazen 2 began as a probe into a video apparently showing the mayor smoking from a crack pipe.
It has resulted in charges of drug trafficking and extortion against Alexander “Sandro” Lisi, Mayor Ford’s friend and one-time driver. Lisi is accused of trying to coerce alleged gangsters into handing over the crack video. The mayor admitted last year to smoking crack during one of his drunken stupors but has denied any criminal wrongdoing. As recently as last week, he dared Chief Blair to arrest him and demanded he explain why the force spent “millions” of tax dollars following him around.
“[Chief Blair] felt he really wanted the public to be assured that it was being done independently so he was pulling his and senior command out of it,” OPP Commissioner Lewis told Newstalk 1010.
“I’m not worried about it in the slightest.”
“This clears the air and I think Chief Blair made a good decision at this point, given the recent happenings, that he turn it over to us,” said Commissioner Lewis.
He described the description of the OPP’s involvement as “oversight” as semantics.
“The Toronto police team that’s doing the investigation, and has for quite some time, will continue. We’ll just put an extra layer of management in there and have them report up the chain of the OPP rather than Toronto police.”
When asked what interaction he has had with Mayor Ford, Commissioner Lewis said they none, other than shaking hands at a few events.
“I don’t even think he’d know my name if someone asked him,” said the commissioner.
The mayor and his brother Councillor Doug Ford accused Chief Blair of bias in the investigation due to his links to a member of the Police Services Board who is, in turn, a close associate of mayoral candidate John Tory.
Councillor Ford accused Chief Blair of “breaking the law” and Mayor Ford said ““He’s embarrassed? How about him embarrassing my family, my kids, my community, my friends. Following me around for five months, spending millions of dollars using taxpayers money, coming in my office, trying to politicize things. If there’s anyone who owes an apology, he owes an apology to the taxpayers.”
In a January video taken surreptitiously at the Steak Queen, a Rexdale-area restaurant, Rob Ford rambled and swore incoherently and said “c–cks–ker. F—ing Chief Blair.”
Earlier Wednesday, a timetable was established for the possible release of more documents in the Project Brazen 2 court case.
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The Crown has agreed to complete its review of the so-called ITOs by March 17. The documents may include details related to cell phone records and wiretaps. A redacted document will be provided on that date to defence and the federal Crown. The information could be released to the public as early as March 19.
Media lawyer Peter Jacobson said he did not think the OPP’s involvement will change the timetable.
“I do not see any reason for this to make a difference to the timing of the production of the ITOs the Crown already has and is required to redact and produce,” he said.
In February, Toronto Police were granted new warrants to scour seven cellphones as part of the Project Brazen 2 investigation.
A provincial court judge authorized the warrants between October 2013 and January 2013 — largely in the months after police Chief Blair said his officers had seen footage of Mr. Ford smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine — to obtain call records for phones registered to Bell, Telus, Rogers and Wind Mobile customers. The list didn’t specify the ownership of the cellphones nor the computer.
The authorizations were granted on Nov 29, 2013 — exactly a month after Toronto police said they’d recovered a deleted file that contained the crack video from a computer seized on June 13th during the Project Traveller raids.
With files from Sarah Boesveld, Josh Visser and the Canadian Press http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/03/05/ontario-provincial-police-to-assume- oversight-role-in-police-investigation-into-rob-ford-at-chief-bill-blairs-request/
Courts ensure police service transparency
Lloyd Ferguson, Chair, Hamilton Police Services Board The Spec March 03, 2014
Police board won't open shooting reports; Chair says chief would have to 'sanitize' reports on incidents if they were made public (Feb. 22)
In addressing the issue related to the discretionary authority of the Police Services Board to release the confidential reports of the chief regarding Section 11 SIU incidents, The Spectator's story has given the impression that "sanitized" reports would be hiding information from the public. This is not so.
The information in the reports that would have to be removed would be information that is prohibited in law from being released. An example, medical details which are
36 important for the board to know in relation to our governance role, yet the board has no authority to release any person's medical details to the public.
The chief was clear in explaining that some details of the "evidence" that will be presented in the case will have to be removed as it will be properly and appropriately presented in court.
All details related to the SIU incidents make their way to the public through the SIU investigation and the criminal, civil or inquest courts, thus fulfilling the board's commitment to openness and transparency while ensuring our governance of the police service is maintained.
Lloyd Ferguson, Chair, Hamilton Police Services Board http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/4391381-courts-ensure-police-service- transparency/
City police get own crest
Brian Kelly Sault Star March 2, 2014
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is finally getting its own recognized crest after nearly 160 years.
The municipal force currently uses a slightly modified version of the city's coat of arms. That emblem has never been accredited.
The artwork includes a Canadian beaver, British crown, a steelworker, an aboriginal man, ship canal and lock and the phrase, Ojibwa Kitche Gumeeng Odena, or Ojibway Town next to Big Body of Water.
That detailed image, says service protocol officer Sgt. Ray Magnan, is challenging for embroiders to copy for police uniforms, including shoulder flashes, service flag and wallet badges.
“As beautiful as our coat of arms is, it's very detailed and does not transfer well to embroidery,” he said.
City police have used the municipal coat of arms for decades. The most recent tweak was in about 1988 when Barry King became chief. More colours were added to black, white and red then displayed.
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The police service, established in 1856, has used about six different crests since at least 1870. A half-moon crest, used between 1940 and 1950, reads Sault Ste. Marie Police, Canada.
None have been registered with Public Register of Arms, Flags, Badges of Canada. The register falls under Canadian Heraldic Authority, part of the Governor General's office.
That irks Magnan, who found an online site who branded the city coat of arms as “bogus” because it had not been registered. Work started on the new crest in 2010.
“We don't have a badge to call our own that's been approved by the government,” said Magnan. “I like to know I'm wearing something that is authorized.”
The city is also developing its own crest in tandem with the police request. Its artwork includes the Clergue blockhouse, two wolves holding ladles to represent steel industry and whitefish to symbolize the fishery and First Nations.
A crown is reserved for military and police units and government uniforms, says Magnan.
Preliminary art of both crests was shown to members of Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board at a meeting on Wednesday.
Neither was made available to media for publication because they're the property of Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Board members wanted no changes made to the police crest. It includes the Royal Crown, shield, a trillium (the provincial flower), gold medal leaves and words Commitment, Excellence, Community abbreviated from the service's motto.
“At this point we're keeping it,” said Magnan. “We're happy with the crest as it stands.”
It'll take two to three months for the official patent to be received. Magnan hopes that paperwork will be signed by Gov. Gen. David Johnson, a former Sault resident.
“That'll be a nice touch,” he told the board.
Total cost for development of the crests and registration is estimated at $2,200 to $2,600. The municipality will share some of that cost.
The crest is designed by Searchmont-based certified heraldic artist Eva Pilar-Cass.
It's expected to take two to three years for city police to switch over to the new crest. The transition will likely start in the fall. Cruisers are expected to be first, followed by uniform jackets and hats.
“There'll be a distinct standard for all crests,” said Magnan.
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That doesn't happen now with the city coat of arms.
Earlier crests are on display at the city police museum at its headquarters on Second Line East. http://www.saultstar.com/2014/03/02/city-police-get-own-crest
Police chief wary of OPP letter
Wayne Lowrie Gananoque Reporter March 5, 2014
The OPP might be gearing up to try to charge Gananoque for services it provides to the town police force, Chief Garry Hull warned last week.
In a letter to Gananoque's Police Services Board, the OPP asked the local police force to detail the services that it might need the provincial force to provide. Hull noted that the request comes as the OPP is revising its model for how it bills municipalities that contract policing to the OPP.
Although the OPP didn't say so in the letter, which was sent to police boards across the province, Hull said the OPP has talked of billing non-OPP municipalities in the past, and that he is suspicious that might be the hidden agenda in the letter.
If so, the chief predicted that Gananoque and other municipalities would push back against the OPP's plan. He said all Ontario residents now pay for those OPP services through their provincial taxes and that the duties of the OPP are outlined in the Police Services Act.
The government would have to change the act to allow the OPP to charge extra for its services, and municipalities would fight that, seeing it as another attempt to download its costs on to smaller communities, Hull said.
Hull said his police force might need the OPP to provide such specialized services as a canine unit, underwater search-and-rescue, a “dynamic entry team” and assistance in a murder investigation.
Those services are the same as the OPP would provide to any municipal police forces of an equal size, said Hull, raising suspicions of why the OPP sent the letter at all.
The OPP is revising the way it charges for its services, hoping to standardize the billing to the 324 municipalities that it polices in Ontario. The OPP 's billing now varies wildly among municipalities. Some pay around $1,000 a year per households; others pay
39 around $100. The OPP wants to charge its municipalities a base fee of between $300 and $400.
That billing model would not affect Gananoque because it runs its own police force, but it would mean big bucks for the surrounding Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, which is policed by the OPP.
TLTI treasurer Bill McKennan has estimated the new billing model could cost the township $600,000 a year on top of the $1 million it now pays for policing.
The OPP says 85% of its costs is for salaries and benefits. A first-class OPP constable is paid $94,702 a year. http://www.gananoquereporter.com/2014/03/05/police-chief-wary-of-opp-letter
Chatham-Kent police warn of fraudulent Canada revenue scam
CTV London March 4, 2014
Chatham-Kent police are warning the public about a fraudulent email circling the internet. The email informs the recipient that they’re entitled to a $312 refund if they complete a form and mail it to one of the addresses attached to the email. Dear Taxpayer, After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $312.00. Regarding this, please complete the Refund Form and mail it to one of the addresses from the second page. Your *Refund Reference Number is: (number deleted) *Refund Amount: 312.00 $. To access the form for your tax refund, please Click Here. (link deleted) For security reasons, remove the form from your computer after printing. Thank you, Canada Revenue Agency Chatham-Kent police says Canada Revenue Agency doesn’t request information from taxpayers via email. Anyone who receives an email such as this should delete it. http://london.ctvnews.ca/chatham-kent-police-warn-of-fraudulent-canada-revenue- scam-1.1713182#ixzz2v77zMtyV
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Local police want more stun guns, officers trained to use weapon
Liz Monteiro The Record March 6, 2014
WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Regional Police are planning on training more officers in the use of stun guns.
Currently, the police have 81 Taser-brand stun guns, mostly used by front-line sergeants and emergency response unit officers.
Under a proposal yet to be approved, the police would increase the number of stun guns to 182 at a cost of $593,474. Each stun gun costs almost $2,200.
Under this option, 514 officers would be qualified and trained to use the weapon. This is the most financially prudent option, said Chief Matt Torigian.
Of the 769 officers on the force now, 369 of them are qualified to carry a "conducted energy weapon." The emergency response unit is assigned the weapons, while other officers sign out the stun gun.
In 2013, the weapon was deployed 20 times, compared to 27 in 2012. The stun gun was displayed, meaning seen by the public but not used, 58 times in 2013 and 56 times in 2012.
"The display of conducted energy weapons is a real indication to a suspect that it will be deployed and this results in increased co-operation, said Deputy Chief Steve Beckett.
The province amended its use-of-force guidelines and in November suggested Ontario police service boards look at policies to determine which officers can carry the weapon.
Coroner's inquests and jury recommendations pointed to the stun gun as a preferred non-lethal option when trying to subdue suspects.
The province said it's up to police forces to decide whether to equip officers with the weapons, and it will be up to those forces to pay for them.
The stun gun shoots darts trailing thin wires that stick into a suspect. An electric charge is applied by the officers holding the hand unit.
The province is also looking for community consultation when it comes to increasing the use of stun guns. Locally, the police service will hold focus groups to gather public input, said Staff Sgt. Shaena Morris.
Police services will not add more stun guns until a newer model is approved for use by the province, Morris said.
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In addition to stun guns, a use of force report showed officers drew their handguns 162 times in 2013, compared to 145 in 2012. The handgun was pointed 104 times in 2013 and 48 times in 2012.
A gun has not been discharged at a person since 2010, when there was one occurrence.
The carbine military-style rifle was pointed 72 times in 2013 and 48 times in 2012. The rifle was introduced to officers in 2011 and 294 officers are trained in its use.
The service has up to 45 carbine rifles. http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4398087-local-police-want-more-stun-guns- officers-trained-to-use-weapon/
Taser purchase approved
Laura Stricker Sudbury Star March 5, 2014
By this time next year, every front-line Greater Sudbury Police constable will have access to a conducted energy weapon or CEW, commonly known as tasers.
On Wednesday the police services board approved the purchase of 45 CEWs. They will cost $139,000, and the service will set aside approximately $19,000 annually to buy new ones as needed. The CEWs typically last five years.
“Our officers have chosen a profession where they put their own safety on the line each day to help others. They accept that,” Dan Markiewich, acting police chief, said during the meeting.
“What prevents them from more frequent injury is their training and the equipment they use to protect themselves and those in the community. Expanding the use of the conducted energy weapon will allow the officers to employ another level of force option prior to having to resort to lethal force.”
Currently sergeants and constables from the tactical unit are allowed to use CEWs. Once the rest of the constables undergo 12 hours of initial training – with four hours of re- qualification training each year – they'll have access to them too.
“Presently we have 30 conducted energy weapons that are distributed amongst our tactical team, our front-line supervisors – that being our sergeants, and various other areas within the service officers do have this equipment available to them,” said Markiewich. “We were looking at the safety of the community, we were looking at the
42 safety of the individual we're dealing with, and of course the safety of the officers is also paramount.”
Last September, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services approved letting front-line constables use the weapon. There are very specific circumstances under which officers can use it, explained Markiewich.
“First officers will use verbal communication. That's key and paramount to any situation ... (but) there are other weapons that are available to the officer, that being the pepper spray, the expandable baton, and the conducted energy weapon will fall within that.
“There are only certain circumstances that the officers will be able to deploy the conducted energy weapon, and that is when the behaviour the officer witnesses (is) an assaultive behaviour.”
They can also use the CEW on someone displaying suicidal behaviour.
Two information sessions, one in Sudbury proper and one in the outlying area, will be held to educate the public. http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/03/05/taser-purchase-approved
QUEBEC
NEW BRUNSWICK
Fatal shooting involving Rothesay police captured on body cam
CTV Atlantic March 3, 2014
RCMP and Rothesay Regional Police are saying little about a shooting that involved police and claimed the life of a 27-year-old man.
The Mounties have been called in to investigate the incident, which was captured by one of the department’s new body cameras.
Police were called to a domestic dispute at a home on Shipyard Road in Rothesay around 7 p.m. Friday. When they arrived, police say the officers were confronted by an armed man.
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“When they arrived, the gentleman in question was very belligerent and waving knives around,” says Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop, who was briefed by police after the incident. “Apparently he took one slash at the officers and missed and came back and they had to take action to protect themselves.”
The homeowner’s son, 27-year-old William David McCaffrey, was shot and later died in hospital.
Police have confirmed that the officer who responded to the domestic disturbance was wearing one of the department’s new body cameras. The video will be turned over to RCMP investigators as evidence.
The small cameras were only recently introduced to police in the Kennebecasis Valley. This is the first serious incident in which the cameras have been put to use.
Observers say it is standard procedure for police to hand an investigation over to another agency.
“The likelihood that they are going to protect their own, so to speak, is much less when it is an outside police organization that’s coming in because they’re taking that task on knowing full well that they need to be very critical in their approach,” says says Mary Ann Campbell, chair of the Centre for Criminal Justice at the University of New Brunswick.
The shooting victim was a nursing student at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus.
Bishop says police have been called to the home before to deal with domestic disputes involving McCaffrey.
RCMP have not said how long it will take to conclude their investigation. http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/fatal-shooting-involving-rothesay-police-captured-on-body- cam-1.1712373#ixzz2v7C4QDk3
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NOVA SCOTIA
Halifax police shop for social media-scanning software
CBC News March 03, 2014
Police in Halifax are shopping for a new piece of software designed to search social media for clues that could help in investigations.
The force issued a tender last week for new software to skim Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Lauri Stevens, a Boston-based social media strategist who works with law enforcement agencies, said in the last two years, more tools have become available for police.
"It's remarkable, actually, how much people put out there about what their activities are,” she said.
Different software packages can search, monitor and capture information in a format public prosecutors can use.
"Packaging it for court cases is what the commercial tools don't really do, and so these law enforcement tools take great care to make sure that they can prove the way the data was captured is indeed how it existed on the web,” said Stevens.
When it comes to privacy concerns, Stevens points out that police “can't get at any information that isn't out there in the open."
Police in other Canadian cities are already sharpening their social media investigation skills.
Vancouver police investigators said they monitored thousands of photos and videos online after the 2011 Stanley Cup riot.
The Toronto Police Service has already implemented social media monitoring software.
“Social media is a great way to reach the public for both community engagement and then the public expects that you're going to be able to be in a position to actually capture digital evidence if there's evidence out there of a crime,” said Toronto Const. Scott Mills, the force’s social media officer.
“They also expect you to be able to prevent a crime using social media.”
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According to the request for proposal, police in Halifax are interested in the software for a range of investigations, including cases that involve bullying, protests and hostage situations. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-police-shop-for-social-media- scanning-software-1.2557451
Halifax police shop for social media-scanning software
CBC News March 03, 2014
Police in Halifax are shopping for a new piece of software designed to search social media for clues that could help in investigations.
The force issued a tender last week for new software to skim Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Lauri Stevens, a Boston-based social media strategist who works with law enforcement agencies, said in the last two years, more tools have become available for police.
"It's remarkable, actually, how much people put out there about what their activities are,” she said.
Different software packages can search, monitor and capture information in a format public prosecutors can use.
"Packaging it for court cases is what the commercial tools don't really do, and so these law enforcement tools take great care to make sure that they can prove the way the data was captured is indeed how it existed on the web,” said Stevens.
When it comes to privacy concerns, Stevens points out that police “can't get at any information that isn't out there in the open."
Police in other Canadian cities are already sharpening their social media investigation skills.
Vancouver police investigators said they monitored thousands of photos and videos online after the 2011 Stanley Cup riot.
The Toronto Police Service has already implemented social media monitoring software.
“Social media is a great way to reach the public for both community engagement and then the public expects that you're going to be able to be in a position to actually capture digital evidence if there's evidence out there of a crime,” said Toronto Const. Scott Mills, the force’s social media officer.
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“They also expect you to be able to prevent a crime using social media.”
According to the request for proposal, police in Halifax are interested in the software for a range of investigations, including cases that involve bullying, protests and hostage situations. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-police-shop-for-social-media- scanning-software-1.2557451
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
NEWFOUNDLAND
NATIONAL
Local police want more stun guns, Calls for independent oversight of border police,
Calls for independent oversight of border police renewed
Nicholas Keung The Star March 05 2014
Advocacy groups are renewing calls for an independent oversight body to investigate complaints against the Canada Border Services Agency, pointing to recent incidents of alleged abuses by enforcement officials.
Seven years after a judicial inquiry recommendation to subject the agency to independent review, the call has fallen on deaf ears by the federal government, said Josh Paterson of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.
“There is no excuse for seven years of doing nothing to ensure Canada’s border police are accountable to independent oversight,” Paterson said in Vancouver on Wednesday. “That is seven years of people having virtually nowhere to turn when they have a complaint about the CBSA. . . There needs to be independent review for all of CBSA’s national security, enforcement and border policing activities.”
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Mandated under Canada’s customs and immigration laws, CBSA officers, like their counterparts in police services, have the powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure.
Unlike police officers, who are subject to independent civilian oversights, complaints against CBSA are investigated and adjudicated by the agency itself. A number of recent cases including the death of a Mexican woman in CBSA custody in Vancouver have prompted the civil liberties association, Canadian Council for Refugees and Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers to renew the demand.
University of British Columbia law professor Catherine Dauvergne, of the refugee council, said her organization wrote to CBSA President Luc Portelance last October following the death of a Tamil refugee who arrived on the MV Sun Sea cargo ship and was later deported to Sri Lanka.
“We still have not heard back from the CBSA president. Nothing,” Dauvergne told the Star. “The CCR has been making this call (for oversight) for over a decade. This is long overdue.”
According to the groups, CBSA officials can stop travellers for questioning, take breath and blood samples, and search, detain and arrest non-citizens without a warrant. “CBSA officers have sweeping powers of investigation, with few constraints and no oversight. (Refugee) claimants and migrants fear being imprisoned or deported if they report incidents of bullying, threats or abusive interrogations,” said Mitchell Goldberg, vice-president of the national refugee lawyer association.
“There must be independent oversight of CBSA to ensure integrity and transparency in day-to-day operations.”
In 2006, Justice Dennis O’Connor recommended CBSA’s national security activities be subject to oversight of a restructured and newly empowered Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP. However, Ottawa has yet to extend its mandate to include CBSA.
The CBSA did not respond to a request for comment. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/03/05/calls_for_independent_oversight_o f_border_police_renewed.html
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Minister MacKay Highlights the Government's Efforts to Combat Sexual Abuse Against Children
Justice Canada Marketwired February 28, 2014
At an event at the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary today, Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, provided details of the Government's comprehensive legislation to better address the issue of sexual offences committed against children, which further supports the Government of Canada's commitment to stand up for young victims of crime.
These new measures, introduced in the House of Commons on February 26, reflect the Government's commitment in the 2013 Speech from the Throne to re-establish Canada as a country where those who break the law are punished for their actions, where penalties match the severity of crimes committed, and where the most vulnerable victims - children - are better protected.
To support young victims of crime, the Government has already provided $10.25 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres (CAC), including the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, since 2010. So far, CAC projects have been funded in 20 cities or municipalities across Canada. Teams of professionals at these centres help young victims and witnesses cope with the trauma they have experienced and help them navigate the criminal justice system.
Quick Facts
The proposed new measures include:
Requiring those receiving separate sentences at the same time for contact child sexual offences against multiple children to serve their sentences consecutively - one after another; Requiring those sentenced at the same time for child pornography offences and contact child sexual offences to serve their sentences consecutively; Increasing maximum and minimum prison sentences for certain child sexual offences; Increasing penalties for violation of conditions of supervision orders; Ensuring that a crime committed while on house arrest, parole, statutory release or unescorted temporary absence is an aggravating factor at sentencing; Ensuring that spousal testimony is available in child pornography cases; Requiring registered sex offenders to provide more information regarding travel abroad; Enabling information-sharing on certain registered sex offenders between officials responsible for the National Sex Offender Registry and at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); and
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Establishing a publicly accessible database of high-risk child sex offenders who have been the subject of a public notification in a provincial/territorial jurisdiction to assist in ensuring the safety of our communities. Quotes
"With the many personal stories that we hear about and the increasingly important number of lives which are impacted by such abuse, it is clear that something must be done to stop the rise in rates of child sexual abuse in Canada and better protect our children. Through the Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act our Government is building on the significant work we have already accomplished in collaboration with other important advocates such as the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, to fight for the safety and security of children and youth and of our communities for the benefit of all Canadians. We will ensure the justice system is more responsive and effective for our most vulnerable - our children."
Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"These measures represent a positive shift in how we -- as a community-- address child sexual abuse. Not only does this legislation demand tougher judicial outcomes for the perpetrators of theses horrific crimes, but it also keeps the focus where the focus belongs -- on the child victims. I applaud the Minister and Canada for taking steps to better address the full magnitude of sexual crimes against children."
Sheldon Kennedy
Child Advocate and namesake, Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre
Related Products
Backgrounder
Associated Links
Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre
Follow Department of Justice Canada on Twitter (@JusticeCanadaEn), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
Backgrounder
Child Sexual Offenders
Our Government is bringing forward nine new key measures that build on the significant work that has already been done to combat child sexual exploitation and protect Canadians from online crime. The proposed new measures comprise amendments to the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Sex Offender Information
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Registration Act, and the creation of a High-Risk Child Sex Offender Database. They include:
Requiring those convicted of contact child sexual offences against multiple children to serve their sentences consecutively - one after another; Requiring those convicted of child pornography offences and contact child sexual offences to serve their sentences consecutively; Increasing maximum and minimum prison sentences for certain child sexual offences; Increasing penalties for violation of conditions of supervision orders; Ensuring that a crime committed while on house arrest, parole, statutory release or unescorted temporary absence, is an aggravating factor at sentencing; Ensuring that spousal testimony is available in child pornography cases; Requiring registered sex offenders to provide more information when they travel abroad; Enabling information-sharing on certain registered sex offenders between officials responsible for the National Sex Offender Registry and at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); and Establishing a publicly accessible database of high-risk child sex offenders who have been the subject of a public notification in a provincial/territorial jurisdiction to assist in ensuring the safety of our communities. Since 2006, our Government has taken strong actions to better protect children, including:
Putting in place, through the Safe Streets and Communities Act, new mandatory prison sentences for seven existing Criminal Code sexual offences, including assault, assault with a weapon, and aggravated assault (where the child is under 16 years);
Making it illegal for anyone to provide sexually explicit material to a child for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence against that child - this process is often referred to as "grooming"; Making it illegal to use computers or other means of telecommunications to agree with or make arrangements with another person to commit a sexual offence against a child; Strengthening the sex offender registry; Increasing the age of protection - the age at which a young person can legally consent to sexual activity - from 14 to 16 years of age; Putting in place legislation to make the reporting of child pornography by Internet Service Providers mandatory; and Strengthening the sentencing and monitoring of dangerous offenders. Broader measures that the Government has taken to help young victims of crime include:
Providing over $10 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres (CAC) since 2010. So far, CAC projects have been funded in 20 cities or municipalities across Canada. Teams of professionals at these centres help young victims and witnesses cope with the trauma they've experienced and to navigate the criminal justice system;
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Launching GetCyberSafe.gc.ca, the Government of Canada's public awareness website on online safety. The site contains information for parents on how to protect their children from people who go online for the purpose of exploiting, manipulating or abusing children; Joining the Global Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Online in June 2013. The goal of the Global Alliance is to strengthen international efforts to fight Internet predators and child abuse images online. It focuses on identifying and helping victims, prosecuting offenders, increasing public awareness and reducing the availability of child pornography online; Consulting with the public and stakeholders to better understand the differing views about which rights should be recognized and protected by a federal Victims Bill of Rights. These consultations are critical in identifying and recognizing how to better entrench the rights of victims into a single law at the federal level, as part of the Government's commitment to victims of crime; and, Allocating more than $120 million since 2006 to respond to the needs of victims of crime through programs and initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice. Paloma Aguilar Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Justice 613-992-4621
Media Relations Office Department of Justice 613-957-4207 http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1766462
Cost of violent crimes topped $12 billion in one year: Justice Canada study
Dean Beeby The Canadian Press March 2, 2014
OTTAWA - Violent crimes in Canada come with a huge financial cost, to victims and to the justice system, says a new Justice Canada report.
Five types of violent crimes that occurred in 2009 had an economic impact of $12.7 billion, says the detailed accounting of dozens of factors, from medical care and lost wages to court and social welfare costs.
The study is the department's fourth since 2011 to examine the grim price tags associated with crime in Canada, all of them focused on the burden placed on victims.
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The latest research, completed in December, looked at every case of assault, criminal harassment, homicide, robbery, and sexual assault and other sexual offences, that occurred in 2009.
Excluded were cases in which there was a spousal relationship, which was the special subject of a previous study. The project drew on police and court databanks as well as surveys from Statistics Canada.
By far the largest single cost — $4.8 billion of the total — was attributed to sexual assault and other sexual offences, crimes in which more than 90 per cent of victims were women.
Victims bore most of the costs for all five types of crime, $10.6 billion, with criminal justice system and third-party costs far behind.
"The victims bear the greatest burden of the impacts, much of it intangible, and family, friends and employers can also be burdened," the authors conclude.
"The impacts are eventually felt by all Canadians in the form of public spending on the justice system and social services."
The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the 168-page report through the Access to Information Act.
The research emerges from the Conservative government's strong focus on victims as it continues to implement changes to the justice system, including mandatory minimum sentences and tougher rules on pardons.
Previous Justice Canada studies, using the same methodology, examined the economic cost of all crimes that occurred in 2008 ($99.6 billion); of gun crimes in the same year ($3.1 billion); and of spousal violence that occurred in 2009 ($7.4 billion).
This area of research, pioneered in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, is touted as helping to show the potential economic effects of reducing crime, and to provide governments information to assign resources more effectively.
"Understanding and being aware of the costs of crime, particularly as they impact victims, can result in more effective and timely crime interventions," said department spokesman Andrew Gowing.
"The work helps program and policy makers understand where the greatest economic impact of crime falls for governments, businesses and those who have experienced violence."
"The knowledge helps to better allocate resources for victims of crime." Gowing added that the research helps fulfil Canada's commitments under the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
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A consultant for the study, criminologist Holly Johnson at the University of Ottawa, said the methodology is first-rate, but she questions the value of such reports.
"It highlights a big figure and that gets public attention, but unless it leads to action to address the problem, I'm not sure that they've been all that beneficial," said Johnson, who studies violence against women.
"We know it's a big problem and now we know it's a big cost — so what are we going to do about it? ... They're doing so little to address it."
Justice Minister Peter MacKay has promised a victims bill of rights this year, after consultations throughout 2013, and the department says it has provided more than $120 million since 2006 for victim-oriented initiatives, some delivered by the provinces. At the same time, the government has resisted demands for a full public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women — demands now louder after the killing in February of Loretta Saunders, a young Inuit student in Halifax studying the issue of violence against indigenous women. The Native Women's Association of Canada says one in 10 female homicides involve aboriginal women, even though they make up only three per cent of the population.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a left-leaning Ottawa think-tank, last summer reviewed federal spending on female victims of violence and concluded there is "no coherent federal policy addressing violence against women." http://www.brandonsun.com/national/breaking-news/cost-of-violent-crimes-topped- 12-billion-in-one-year-justice-canada-study-248099171.html?thx=y
Canada’s Violent Crimes Cost $12 Billion Per Annum
Brain Davidson The Canadian March 4, 2014
According to a new Justice Canada report, violent crimes in Canada come with a huge financial cost, to victims and to the justice system.
There are five types of violent crimes occurring in 2009 which have had an economic impact of $12.7 billion, says the detailed accounting of dozens of factors, from medical care and lost wages to court and social welfare costs.
The latest research which was completed in December took into consideration every case of assault, criminal harassment, homicide, robbery and sexual offenses that occurred in 2009. By far the largest single cost – $4.8 billion of the total, was attributed to sexual assault and other sexual offenses, crimes in which more than 90 per cent of victims were women.
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Previous Justice Canada studies, using the same methodology also examined the economic cost of all crimes that occurred in 2008 ($99.6 billion); of gun crimes in the same year ($3.1 billion); and of spousal violence that occurred in 2009 ($7.4 billion). The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a left-leaning Ottawa think-tank, last summer reviewed federal spending on female victims of violence and concluded there is “no coherent federal policy addressing violence against women.” http://www.lecanadian.com/headline-news/2014/03/04/canadas-violent-crimes-cost- 12-billion-per-annum.html
Fraud, Scams, Identity Theft Costing Canadians Millions
Justina Reichel Epoch Times March 4, 2014
A scam that Daniel Williams encountered early in his career with the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre has kept his blood boiling ever since.
A U.S. mother, desperate to find travel funds for her five-year-old son’s regular cancer treatments at a clinic nearly 100 kilometres away, responded to a newspaper ad promising guaranteed loans from a Toronto bank—a fictional offer concocted by scammers.
The $5,000 loan was quickly approved after the woman agreed to pay $500 to secure it. She thanked the “bank teller,” telling him the loan represented her child’s last chance of survival. Despite knowing the child’s life hung in the balance, the scammer didn’t hesitate to exploit the mother further, saying she could get the money even faster by immediately paying an additional $180 fee.
“They’re nasty, nasty people,” says Williams, senior call centre supervisor with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
“They will steal money that you don’t have. They will take your last penny. They will put you into debt. And at the end of it they will laugh in your face from the safety of a phone or an email.”
With the start of Fraud Prevention Month at the beginning of March, Williams is urging Canadians to be on their guard against financial fraud and identity theft, which drained over $20 million from nearly 22,000 victims in Canada last year.
According to the CAFC, today’s scam victims appear to be shifting away from the stereotypical “lonely senior” toward the baby boomer age bracket. CAFC figures suggest that Canadians aged 50–69 represented the highest number of victims and lost the most money in mass-marketing fraud schemes last year.
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With the continuous rise of sophisticated digital scams “everybody is susceptible,” says Williams, and scammers are increasingly targeting specific groups rather than a mass audience.
Scams Unlimited One of the most lucrative schemes currently affecting Canadians is the so-called “romance scam,” says Williams, where perpetrators target those looking for love online. The scammers create a false identity on dating websites and troll for unsuspecting users. Once trust is established with their target they ask for money, usually for a highly urgent emergency situation. Once they get their hands on the money, they disappear.
Many of the typical victims have been divorced or are seeking a last chance at love, making them more prone to ignore warning signs, says Williams.
“Their gut may be telling them one thing, but their heart is hoping that it’s something else.”
There are dozens of known scams, and new ones are “invented every day,” says the CAFC website. One of the most common schemes in Canada is the “service scam” which typically involves third parties that make offers for telecommunications, Internet, finance, medical, or energy services.
A popular example is the “Microsoft scam,” which has fraudsters pose as IT professionals from Microsoft who convince victims they have computer problems. The scammers then access the computer, create false technical problems, and bill the victims—often on an ongoing basis.
“The effort that the [scammers] put into it is phenomenal, and they can do that, because it’s the exact same storyline that they’re going to be using with 1,000 other people,” says Williams, adding that even if only a tiny percentage of people fall for the scam it can still be highly lucrative.
“Prize pitch” scams and “grandparent scams” are some of the most common to successfully victimize older Canadians. In the prize scam, victims are told they have been awarded valuable items such as a luxury cruise or a car, but must “pay in advance” to receive it.
In the “grandparent scam” a grandparent receives a phone call from a con-artist posing as one of his or her grandchildren. The caller goes on to say that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately.
According to the CBC, a new scam known as synthetic identity fraud has been increasing in Ontario. In the scheme, identities are completely or partially fabricated by creating genuine identification cards (i.e. driver’s licences) using false names.
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The documents give fraudsters advantages when used with other fraudulent identification and allow them to obtain Canadian passports, register a business, get approved for loans, and so on.
Do Your Research According to a national survey conducted for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, nearly a third (29 percent) of the Canadian respondents reported being duped by some form of financial fraud and 43 percent know someone who has been a fraud victim.
The RCMP’s Commercial Crime Branch estimates that fraud-related offences cost the Canadian economy between $10 and $30 billion annually.
Still, Canadians shouldn’t be afraid to do business or pursue financial opportunities, Williams notes. The most important way to protect oneself from scams and ensure offers are legitimate is to do research before signing up for anything.
“In the vast majority of scams, it would take less than 15 minutes [researching] online to determine that what you’re dealing with is a fraud,” says Williams, adding that the proliferation of personal blogs means someone else has almost always posted warnings about a scam online.
When in doubt, call the CAFC before agreeing to anything, he says.
“Everything can be verified before you part with money, because once you’ve parted with it, generally speaking that money is gone for good.” http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/541075-fraud-scams-identity-theft-costing- canadians-millions/
Statement from Minister Blaney to Launch Fraud Prevention Month
Marketwired March 3, 2014
OTTAWA, ONTARIO-- The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today issued the following statement to mark the launch of Fraud Prevention Month.
"Our Government is keeping Canadians safe, and protecting our economy from organized criminal activity. In recent years, our Government has funded and announced a variety of initiatives to counter fraud.
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Sadly, financial crime is something that will affect many Canadians in their lifetime. Numerous criminal groups across Canada are involved in a wide range of economic crime, including identify theft, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, telemarketing fraud, securities and stock market fraud, and counterfeiting. These groups operate domestically and internationally to access more victims and lessen chances of detection.
One of the major ways Canadians are targeted for fraud is through their mobile devices. Today, mobile phones are used for far more than talking: people use them to go online just as they would a computer, laptop or tablet. Not surprisingly, smartphones are quickly becoming more susceptible to attacks and fraud from the same kind of predators that target larger devices.
Fraud Prevention Month is an opportunity to become better educated on how to avoid falling victim to fraud. We encourage all Canadians to take advantage of excellent resources from GetCyberSafe.ca, the Competition Bureau, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and the RCMP. Together, we can all play an active part in recognizing, reporting, and stopping fraud."
Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) on Twitter.
Jean-Christophe de Le Rue Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness 613-991-2924
Media Relations Public Safety Canada 613-991-0657 [email protected] http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1769322#ixzz2v76pLd1I
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Mental health nurses to help police
Clacton Gazette March 4, 2014
Mental health nurses will be stationed at nearly 50 police stations by next month. Mental health nurses will be stationed at nearly 50 police stations across England and Wales by next month.
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Ten forces - including the Metropolitan Police Service and Leicestershire Constabulary - will operate Liaison and Diversion schemes from April, policing minister Damian Green has announced.
Police officers and custody suite staff will be able to refer vulnerable people who they suspect have mental health needs for assessment and referral for appropriate treatment. It is expected the programme will be rolled out across the country by 2017.
Mr Green said: " When someone is suffering a mental health crisis, the police are often the first to arrive on the scene.
"While the police cannot and should not provide the necessary medical support and treatment, they need to be able to recognise mental health issues and deal with them appropriately.
"The police also need their health partners to be ready to step in and provide medical support for people in crisis.
"There has been a real commitment among national health and policing leaders to change the way people with mental health needs are treated and a lot of positive progress has already been made.
"However, we still face challenges to improve how the police respond to people in crisis and I am encouraged to see how many police forces are agreeing new ways of working with health professionals, making the most of government funding provided to schemes such as Liaison and Diversion and street triage." http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/uk_national_news/11050457.Mental_h ealth_nurses_to_help_police/?ref=twtrec
Why your use-of-force model may be flawed (and how to fix it)
Ed Flosi PoliceOne.com March 05, 2014
An officer’s decision to use force is based on the subject’s actions. Of course, it’s preferable to resolve any arrest situation with verbal persuasion and good command presence but as we know that is not always in the suspect’s plan.
If the suspect chooses not to heed the officer’s verbal directions, then the officer will most likely be forced to use some sort of defensive tactics technique or use a force option from our “toolbox” in order to overcome the suspect’s resistance.
In this manner, our actions are really reactions to the situation into which the suspect has placed us.
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Shortcomings of Existing Models The method that the officer chooses will still need to be “objectively reasonable” based on several factors, including the:
1.) Severity of the crime at issue 2.) Threat of the suspect 3.) Amount of resistance presented by the suspect
Other factors can be taken into the “totality of the circumstances” evaluation as well. These factors can be looked at as the “why” an officer responded with force and should be clearly articulated in any subsequent documentation.
When we teach our classes on use-of-force decision-making and force analysis, we focus on these several factors that should be kept in mind when describing the “why” an officer responded with force. These factors should create a reasonable balance with the force option(s) used by the officer, or the level/quantum of force used by the officer.
Some agencies use a continuum / scale / ladder / escalator model to try to provide the officers with some guidance with the other side of the equation. The models will speak to only the tool or technique itself and try to artificially place those into some ranking system. Some models pair certain force options based only on the subject’s resistance level.
Both models potentially fail to examine the “totality of the circumstances” perceived by the officer.
A More Complete Design Another way of looking at the level/quantum of force used by the officer is to look at what force option was used and how it was used and then making a determination of what would be the expectation of injury. Looking only at the tool by itself (the “what”) would not give a full representation of the level/quantum of the force the officer used — one must also examine the “how” a tool is used.
Look at how a baton can be understood at different levels/quantum, based on the “how” it is used:
1.) A baton placed on the upper arm of a suspect and used to push check a suspect away would have very low expectation of injury 2.) That same baton swung at full impact speed striking the suspect on the forearm would have a “moderate level” expectation of injury including pain, bruising, and swelling 3.) That same baton swung at full impact speed striking the suspect in the head has a “high level” expectation of injury including unconsciousness, brain injury, and possibly death
Another example is a takedown technique. The same full-speed takedown technique used on an unhandcuffed suspect on a grassy field would have a much different expectation of injury than on a handcuffed suspect on pavement. This type of evaluation truly embraces a “totality of the circumstances” approach.
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The expected injury can be different than the actual injury. Take scenario #2 above as an example. The officer targeted (intention) the suspect’s arm. The suspect tries to duck under the baton strike. This action causes the baton to glance off the suspect’s upper shoulder and strike the suspect in the head.
A head strike was not the intention of the officer but that is what happened.
The analysis should remain with the intention of the officer and the expected injury.
Next time you are conducting use-of-force decision-making training — or performing an analysis of an officer’s force response — try these concepts to see if they work for you.
About the author Ed Flosi is a retired police sergeant in San Jose (Calif.). He has been in law enforcement for more than 27 years. Ed has a unique combination of academic background and practical real world experience including patrol, special operations and investigations. Ed was the lead instructor for use-of-force training, as well as defense and arrest tactics for the San Jose Police Department. He has been retained in several cases to provide testimony in cases when an officer was alleged to have used excessive force. He has assisted the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in providing expertise on several occasions related to use-of-force training. He has a Master of Science degree from California State University Long Beach and holds an Adult Learning Teaching Credential from the State of California. He teaches in the Administration of Justice Department at West Valley College. He is currently the Principle Instructor for PROELIA Defense and Arrest Tactics. http://www.policeone.com/use-of-force/articles/6933047-Why-your-use-of-force- model-may-be-flawed-and-how-to-fix-it/
Caln police close to settling contract
Kristina Scala Daily Local News March 04, 2014
CALN – The township is getting closer to amending its police contract that expired at the end of 2012.
Caln Board of Commissioners passed a resolution stating terms of a summary proposal has been agreed upon by both parties and the township plans on settling a year-long arbitration.
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The township has agreed to resolve terms of the police contract for 16 out of 18 full-time Caln police officers to include negotiated items.
“When it’s finally resolved it’s a sigh of relief on both ends,” Caln Police Chief Joseph Ellias said.
Negotiations between the police department and township started in 2012. The arbitration process began in February 2013, according to Caln Township Manager Greg Prowant.
The township plans on approving the amended contract with the proposed changes. The specifics of the settled agreement will not be released until both parties sign the agreement, Prowant said.
“We had met with the association,” he said. “We have come to an understanding and confirmed that we have a proposal that was accepted by both sides.”
The contract has yet to be officially settled, but the township’s 2014 budget won’t take a major hit if it is approved by both sides.
According to Prowant, $1.73 million is the budgeted salary for 2014.
No cuts have been made to the police department since the contract expired at the end of 2012, he said.
“We had prepared the budget to include an estimated settlement cost,” he said. “I see no change in the 2014 budget.”
Ellias was hired as Caln’s police chief April 2013. Before making his way into the Caln Police Department he spent 28 years with the Pennsylvania State Police Department.
During his time with the state police, he went through seven different contracts.
“There is always the atmosphere of uncertainty,” he said.
According to Ellias, he is pleased with the department’s performance since he began his duties in Caln considering their contract status.
He also said the department has a low turnover rate. The newest officer has been with the department for six years.
“I really didn’t have much involvement with the (Caln) arbitration, but I can tell you throughout the selection process I was aware it was an ongoing issue and from then until now I know both sides wanted to get it resolved as quickly as possible,” Ellias said. “It had no effect in the 10 months I had been here in operation. It was business as usual. The fear of the unknown is always a concern.”
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Prowant estimated that the amendment to the new contract will be finalized in the next month. http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20140304/caln-police-close-to-settling- contract
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer critical of ACLU forum on reforms
Alissa Skelton World-Herald MARCH 1, 2014
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Friday that ACLU Nebraska was organizing a town hall forum on proposed police reforms in a “misleading manner” and that changes the group seeks have already been made or are being studied by the department.
Schmaderer released a list of four reforms sought by the ACLU: a civilian oversight program; body-worn cameras for police officers; biannual de-escalation training and anti-bias training; and the posting online of the policy and procedures manual.
He said the department has already done or begun researching three of the four recommendations. Schmaderer said he would not attend the north Omaha forum, scheduled for Sunday, or send a representative.
Schmaderer's statement said in part: “Any attempt by the ACLU to assert credit for these changes is completely without merit. The Omaha Police Department received full national accreditation on July 2013, and is a professional, hard- working department.”
In response to Schmaderer, the ACLU said the organization has “identified reforms that have been successfully implemented in other communities to help build community trust in law enforcement and provide for greater oversight and accountability.”
The forum is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Cafe at Lake Point Center, 2401 Lake St.
In his statement, Schmaderer gave this explanation of how police have responded to the proposed reforms.
» Body-worn cameras by officers. Schmaderer said the department plans to test the use of cameras through a small “pilot program” before deciding whether to require police officers to wear them.
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He said the department began researching the topic in mid-2013. Of six comparable cities — Cincinnati, Denver, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and St. Paul, Minn. — two departments require officers to wear the cameras.
» De-escalation training and anti-bias training. Schmaderer said the department's training is nationally certified through the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies.
» Policy and procedures manual. Schmaderer said an updated version of the manual was posted on the department's website in January.
Amy Miller, ACLU legal director, said that as of Friday night, only 69 pages of the manual had been posted, “taking us through the letter 'A.' ''
Schmaderer did not address the ACLU's call for a civilian review panel with subpoena power and the right to publish results of investigations.
Mayor Jean Stothert created a police advisory panel in February.
The Citizen Complaint Review Board will be allowed to review internal police investigations, but it won't have authority to conduct its own investigations and its recommendations are not binding.
Stothert on Friday issued a statement saying she was “confident in Chief Schmaderer and the actions he has already taken.”
An ACLU spokeswoman said Schmaderer and Stothert weren't invited to speak at the meeting because of pending ACLU litigation against the city. The chief and mayor are welcome to attend the meeting.
The ACLU has sued Schmaderer and the city in federal court over the controversial arrests of three brothers in north Omaha last year.
The lawsuit alleges that some of the 32 officers involved used excessive force and completed a home search without a warrant.
Schmaderer fired six officers as a result of the incident; one got his job back through arbitration. http://www.omaha.com/article/20140301/NEWS/140309869
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First woman of Somali descent joins St. Paul Police Department
Raya Zimmerman Twincities.com March 03, 2014
In Somali culture, women don't strive to become police officers, Kadra Mohamed said.
On Saturday morning, Mohamed was recognized as the first Somali-American woman to join the St. Paul Police Department, a move made possible by the department's announcement that it has approved an option for employees to wear a police-issued hijab.
"It's nerve-wracking in a way," Mohamed, 21, said of being the first woman of Somali descent in the department. "I want to be a good role model for others, especially Somali women."
Mohamed was recognized at the police's Western District building during a graduation ceremony for youth who recently completed the East African Junior Police Academy.
Police Chief Thomas Smith said St. Paul joins at least one other department -- in Washington, D.C. -- as the only departments in the U.S. to allow the hijab, a head scarf worn in public by some Muslim women.
A senior studying criminal justice at St. Cloud State University and a St. Paul Central High School graduate, Mohamed said she contacted St. Paul police a few months ago to learn about becoming an officer. She said she expressed concerns over not being able to wear a hijab on duty. In Islam, females may wear the hijab as a form of modesty and cultural identity, and Mohamed wears it as part of her daily dress.
In December, the police service in Edmonton, Alberta, approved the option for female officers of Muslim faith to wear a police-issued hijab. St. Paul police Sgt. Tina Kill said the department contacted Edmonton police, and they provided input on a hijab suitable for duty -- the final product of which Mohamed wore at Saturday's ceremony.
Mohamed said the hijab was carefully made so that it would not impair her from performing any duties. One row of buttons runs horizontally along the sides of her head, connecting the top half to a scarf that tightly hugs her neck. The buttons can snap off easily, she said, in case a criminal tried to pull the cloth around her neck.
St. Paul police efforts to recruit within the Somali-American community have been underway since 2004, which laid the groundwork for the African Immigrant Muslim Community Outreach Program in 2009. Funded largely by a two-year federal grant, AIMCOP received $670,679 to develop mentoring programs with
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The Twin Cities have the nation's largest Somali-American population. Garaad Sahal was St. Paul's first -- and only -- Somali-American police officer, joining in late 2012.
Born in Kenya, Mohamed grew up and lives part-time in St. Paul's West Side with her mother, who fled the ongoing civil war in Somalia and lived in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the U.S. with her daughter.
Mohamed said she is planning to enroll in a police academy to receive officer training after she graduates from St. Cloud State in May. After that, she said, she will apply to become an officer.
Some of her tasks as a liaison officer include assisting officers in criminal investigations and extending outreach within the Somali community to bridge cultural gaps, she said.
"She's going to be a trendsetter," Smith said.
As part of the police department's commitment to establishing and bolstering relationships within the Twin Cities' Somali community, 23 children and young adults, most of whom have East African origins, were recognized at the graduation ceremony for completing the monthlong junior police academy. Forty had signed up for the program, and 12 were absent at Saturday's ceremony.
The St. Paul Police Department regularly holds citizen academies, including those for youth, but this was the first one geared toward East African youth.
One of the academy's four female graduates, Faisa Mohamed, 18, said Kadra Mohamed will serve as a role model for young Somali-American women who perhaps had not considered becoming an officer until now, in part because of cultural differences.
Intisam Moosa, another academy graduate, said: "Now if (female Somalis) see her, they will think, 'What makes her any different than me?' " http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25254778/st-paul-police-among-select- few-allow-hijab
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Cops on horses: An old-fashioned police technique in the modern age
Rina Palta KVUE March 2nd, 2014
Police departments sometimes seem like they are in a technological arms race, with departments chasing after the latest gadgets like body cameras, helicopters, and drones.
Nevertheless, many departments across the nation maintain one of law enforcement's oldest policing tools: mounted patrol units, ie, the cop on a horse.
This weekend, about 150 officers from units around the world gathered in the City of Industry for an annual conference to swap best practices and the occasional blooper story. (Horses like to eat--sometimes hotdogs out of unsuspecting civilian hands, apparently.)
L.A. County Sheriff's Sergeant Joe Haertsch admits the equestrian unit he supervises might seem dated.
"Even though it's, I guess you would say 'old technology,' it's very, very valuable in the 21st century," Haertsch said.
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department uses its 180-person unit (mostly comprised of volunteers) for patrolling the county's parks, for crowd control, and regular policing operations. Recently, deputies on horse back participated in a sweep targeting pimps on Long Beach Boulevard in Compton. They can do things deputies in patrol cars often can't, Haertsch said, like jump a curb, turn into a tight alley, and even chase down a suspect who's fleeing on foot through a narrow stretch.
On at least one occasion, Deputy Hill Goodhart said he pulled over another horse.
"I guess you could say it was reckless horse riding," Goodhart said. "There was two of them and they were running as fast as they could."
Like Goodhart, most of the deputies and citizen volunteers in the equestrian unit are horse people. They grew up riding, and made it a part of their career. LAPD Lieutenant Tony Lomedico says the 30-officers in his department's mounted unit are a little different.
"Almost every officer did not know anything about horses," Lomedico said. "They had just established themselves as great Los Angeles police officers."
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LAPD's mounted unit is part of the elite Metropolitan Division, made up of many of the department's specialized forces. Like other Metro officers, those in the mounted unit are required to have good marksmanship and maintain good physical fitness.
Horsemanship can come later.
Mitchel Roth, a criminologist at Sam Houston State University, isn't surprised that the officers of the LAPD mounted unit are not lifelong horse people – that's just a product of being generations removed from a society that's familiar with livestock.
Horsemanship, like mounted units in police departments, used to be a practical tool. But they've both now become more of a novelty.
Mounted patrols came about in the 1800's, originally in England and then were adopted in America. At the time, Roth said, the country was rural and crimes like stolen livestock were a big part of police work. Now, not so much.
"It's not to deny that there's value to a mounted unit, but you look at the situations they're used for," Roth said. "How often do you have riots? If you're going to keep a mounted police unit for riots, you might use them once a year."
They make the most sense patrolling parks, he said. In L.A., for instance, the LAPD uses mounted units for search and rescue cases in Griffith Park.
But especially for smaller police forces, mounted units are often the first cut during budget crunches. San Diego recently axed its mounted unit, as did Hartford, Connecticut. Other cities, like Philadelphia, which has a lot of parks, brought their unit back after initially cutting it.
LASD's equestrian unit is almost entirely funded by private donations. In most cases, deputies in the unit have to buy the horses and pay for their care. LAPD's unit is at least partially funded by the city, but also relies heavily on donations, Lomedico said.
In general, mounted units are more of a public relations tool than anything else, Roth said.
"You can't beat seeing a police officer on a horse in a public setting," Roth said. "People like to see tradition and history and this is one of the few things that connects modern policing to the past – seeing them on top of a horse." http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/03/02/42534/role-of-police-on-horseback-has- changed-over-time/
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Austin police Taser use to get more review
Tony Plohetski KVUE News March 2, 2014
AUSTIN -- Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo will raise the level of scrutiny officers receive after using Taser stun guns.
In an interview with the KVUE Defenders and the Austin American-Statesman, Acevedo said the move is the first major change stemming from a departmental review of use-of-force polices -- which came after the fatal police shooting of Larry Jackson last year.
City officials asked the Department of Justice to investigate the department, but after federal officials declined, City Manager Marc Ott instructed Acevedo to conduct a review.
“We want to really make the use of the Taser, and a review of the circumstances, a priority for our department," Acevedo said. Beginning this month, an officer's entire supervisory chain must review an officer's Taser use. The cases also will be sent to an internal, independent force review board, which will look for any trends or recommend policy changes to Acevedo.
In the past, an officer's immediate supervisor reviewed Taser use. “By looking at it, and having the outside review, otuside the chain, it really brings a prespective from people who don’t work with that officer on a daily basis,"
Acevedo said. "And it gives an opportunity to make sure that we don’t have any training issues or have any other policy changes that we need to make.”
Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, praised the change.
"It's a step that's long overdue because there's been quite a history around the country of people suffering injuries from Taser use, and there are questions about the excessive use," Acevedo said. http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-police-Taser-use-to-get-more-review-- 248104791.html
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Seattle Police Adopt New Crisis Intervention Policy
Yahoo Groups March 3, 2014
A new policy for the Seattle Police Department aims to change how officers handle crisis situations with people who are mentally ill or under the influence. The crisis intervention policy, which takes effect Monday, is part of the city’s federally-mandated police reforms. A key component calls for officers to de-escalate a situation whenever feasible, in line with standard law enforcement practices. In 2011, a federal investigation found Seattle police officers too often used excessive force. The feds also found the patterns of force mostly arose during encounters with people who have mental illness or are impaired by drugs or alcohol. Gazala Uradnik is with the Seattle office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which is part of the committee that’s helped craft these new police guidelines. Uradnik said she’s hopeful the policy will help officers gain a new awareness "that someone with mental illness isn’t going to necessarily be violent and there is just a way to step back and calmly have a conversation with the person." Uradnik said she thinks a calmer approach would would be beneficial to the officer and to the person they’re confronting. Seattle Police's new policy calls for a team of officers to be specially trained to take the lead at the scene where someone is having a "behavioral crisis." The training includes a 40-hour course, exam and additional training each year Uradnik called that level of training a good start. For the first time, Seattle Police will also gather data about every encounter with someone in this type of crisis. “SPD’s data shows that far too many situations requiring force involve people suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues," said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan in a written statement. "This new policy creates critical new organizational and operational changes for the Seattle Police Department that will guide and help officers when dealing with such individuals https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/policeoversight/conversations/messages/1 0325
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