CITIZENS PANEL ON POLICING AND THE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCED

Former Ottawa Mayor, Marion Dewar has announced the formation of a Citizens Panel on Policing and the Community. This five member panel has emerged from a series of community conversations, and debate with the Ottawa Police Department, about how demonstrators and the police should interact during high-profile meetings where international dignitaries are meeting, such as the G-20 summit on the weekend of November 16^th 2001.

In addition to Mrs. Dewar, panel members include Most Reverend Peter Coffin, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, Kenneth Binks former federal judge and Conservative Member of Parliament, Jacqueline Pelletier, organizational development consultant and Dr. Anne Squire, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada. (Biographical notes on all five members are attached.)

"We are taking the initiative to hold public meetings into this issue because the panelists strongly believe in the need for the community and police to work together with trust during events such as the G-20 summit," Mrs. Dewar said.

"We have heard worrisome reports from a number of our community groups that give us concern that the trust between police and the citizens has been damaged as a result of those demonstrations.

"In these circumstances, the usual channels for expressing concern are insufficient to rebuilding trust. We believe that the community needs to be involved, and to hear from both sides how their relationship should now be repaired."

The Panel will call for written expression of views on the issues, and will hold public discussions with interested individuals. It hopes to hear from all parties when it meets in the last half of February. The Panel is also prepared, on an exceptional basis, to meet privately with those who wish to have their privacy protected. Experts will also be invited to provide their ideas.

After it has considered all views, the Panel will make its report public, and submit it to City authorities, including the Police Department. The Panel wants to draw lessons for the future which will strengthen the relationship between the police and the community, and give citizens confidence that they may express views and dissent in an open and respectful fashion.

The terms of reference for the Citizens Panel are attached.

For further information,
email: citizenspanel@groups.io