OPP commissioner takes aim at politics of police in schools
While Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner looked on, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique stepped firmly into the politics of uniformed police in schools Thursday during the funeral of slain OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller.
The Ottawa-carleton District School Board has been at the centre of the issue. It recently came under fire for a policy banning police officers in uniforms from taking part in school programs such as career days. It came to light after an invitation for a community helpers day at a Stittsville school after an officer, whose child attends the school, was rescinded if she wore her uniform. That policy was changed after Education Minister Stephen Lecce sent a strongly worded memo to boards.
Carrique, who said he remained in “shock and disbelief ” over Mueller's killing, used the widely broadcast funeral to take aim at what he termed the unjust vilification of police by some.
“I, for one, would like to imagine a future where Eric's children Jasmine, who is just 21 months, and Hugo, who is just eight months, will safely attend a school and positively interact with uniformed police officers,” he said. “Police officers just like their very own dad, who, as a young boy, loved to play with police and military toys.”
During an emotionally charged speech, the OPP commissioner recalled to the minute when he received a phone call on May 11 about the fatal shooting that left Mueller dead and two other officers injured, one critically.
“I thought, `Please, please, Lord, it cannot be, please do not let this call be the serious injury or death of one of my officers. It simply cannot be.' ”
He noted there had been an “unprecedented and unacceptable rash” of police homicides across Canada in recent months.
“We need to ask ourselves: If our police officers, the very ones we rely upon for our safety and security, are not safe, then who is?”
Carrique called for laws and systems “that prioritize both the public and officer safety by effectively mitigating the real dangers posed by violent offenders, mental disorders that are likely to result in serious bodily harm and the access to firearms used in the commission of a crime. Our officers and Canadians deserve nothing less.”
He took direct aim at critics of police, saying some officers were beginning to question their willingness to risk their lives and the future of their families.
“We need to restore respect for authority and the rule of law. We need to maintain trust and confidence in the police by opposing those who unjustly vilify the very protectors dedicated to and in some cases giving their lives to serving and protecting us.”
In response to a request for comment on Carrique's remarks, school board chair Lyra Evans said there would be “opportunities in the future for this conversation.}
“Today, on behalf of the Ottawa-carleton District Board, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Eric Mueller. We are hopeful that the tremendous community support shown today will provide some comfort at this very difficult time.”
School board trustee Donna Blackburn told the board earlier this month she planned to introduce a motion asking the board to speak with the Ottawa Police Service to “establish standards of practice that allow for police support to schools respecting the safety and security of students and staff.”
Ford has previously come out strongly against policies banning uniformed police in schools. “Police officers are the people we call when we need help. They deserve much better than this.”
In his speech at the funeral on Thursday, Ford said Mueller made the ultimate sacrifice “on our behalf and on the province's behalf and we'll be forever grateful.”
The funeral, which was not open to the public, but was livestreamed, was attended by thousands of police officers in addition to family members and provincial officials.