Police must ‘follow up’ on report, expert urges
Review on use-of-force incidents lists 65 recommendations for improvement
It is “imperative” that Calgary police embrace the recommendations in an independent report on the service’s use of force, an expert said Tuesday.
Authored by retired Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Neil Wittmann, the nearly 400-page report was released Tuesday, reviewing use-of-force incidents by the 2,000 front-line members of the department, particularly zeroing in on 21 officer-involved shootings over a six-year period.
The report offered 65 recommendations in eight categories to deal with potentially dangerous situations, including better understanding of mental health, an emphasis on de-escalation training and improved oversight.
Doug King, a justice studies professor at Mount Royal University, applauded Wittman’s work on a thorough report done in a short time.
“It’s imperative that (police) follow up,” King said.
King cites a similar report done by the Toronto Police Service led by a former Supreme Court of Canada judge.
“It had a lot to do with use of force and issues of tragedy where a police officer takes the life of someone in crisis or threatening the officer. That report stipulated and articulated that the goal of any police agency should be that no police officer has to take the life of another individual,” said King.
“Toronto implemented much of their recommendations. A lot of it had to do with training and use of force, and the number of police officer fatal shootings dropped to zero. When Calgary has two or three or five, there is something wrong. It is that police officers in every minute of every shift are relying on their training to keep themselves safe.
“The issue is all about training. You can update the Police Act all you want, but if you aren’t going to give the officers sufficient training, you’re still going to have the same problems.”
John Orr, president of the Alberta Federation of Police Associations and a former Calgary officer, said police already receive extensive training, but welcomes more guidance for officers.
“Officers in Alberta are very well trained in de-escalation, although we would welcome any enhanced training,” said Orr.
“We are always looking for improved training, and better training. It will be interesting to see how it will be rolled out by each service.”
Among the recommendations Wittman lists is a call to update the provincial Police Act, which governs Alberta’s law enforcement agencies, mirroring a call made by a number of Calgary city councillors this week — one that Orr would welcome.
“The Alberta federation has actually just completed a discussion paper on changes to the Police Act we feel would be warranted,” he said.
“Pretty much everyone involved in the policing world agrees that the Police Act is antiquated and needs to be rewritten. There are several areas of the Police Act that are bogging down the system and I think we could do a better job with new legislation in that area.”
Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley said she was still reviewing the report and is committed to reviewing Police Act legislation, with provincial policing partner consultations coming in the future. No comment was given on specific questions pertaining to the review.
Pretty much everyone involved in the policing world agrees that the Police Act is antiquated and needs to be rewritten.