Police associations to examine killings

Some of Canada’s largest police associations are banding together to identify the root causes behind the killings of five police officers in the past four months.

The Canadian Police Association, the Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police Association and the Toronto Police Association said in a joint statement Friday they will examine the issues at play and then call for change to make sure the “wave of violence” against police doesn’t continue.

“We are saying today what we are sure most Canadians are feeling: Enough is enough. We cannot allow the deaths of five of our members to go unchallenged,” the groups said in the statement.

The associations, which represent about 60,000 sworn and civilian police personnel, said they will review judicial and public policy frameworks, including bail and sentencing practices.

In a separate statement, Canadian Police Association president Tom Stamatakis said there is a need for reforms to address the cases of violent offenders who engage in criminal activities repeatedly.

“We recognize that the majority of offenders don’t reoffend,” he said. “There are a small number of prolific and violent offenders who continue to present a danger to society when released, and we need to find common-sense reforms that will address those cases.”

A funeral was held Wednesday for 28-year-old OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala, who was shot while responding to a call for a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville, Ont., on Dec. 27.

The associations also said they will also examine what they call a “growing and chronic” shortage of police officers and whether Crime Stoppers programs need to be boosted.

Pierzchala was the fifth police officer killed in the line of duty in Canada since September.