SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO OTTAWA WITNESS GROUP MUNICIPAL ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE 2003

The following is a capsule version of the replies to the questionnaire. Please click on the candidate name links to see their full statements.


 

 
 

M
or
W
 
 
 
 

NAME

 Define role of PSB Seek appt to PSB
 
 

Why suitable

PSB improved public trust

Major events policing policies/updates needed

Post PSB minutes

 Separate PSB Web site
1a 1b 1c 2 3 4a 4b
M
 J. Bell Ö N   Some trust None   No
5
 D. Craig Ö Y Police officer 

31 years

 Good process None Yes Yes
7
 A. Cullen Ö N   Trust unchanged PSB should open public dialogue on meshing free speech and public safety Yes Not necessary
12
 N. Duckworth Ö Y Aims to improve police-community relations No, public trust still strained PSB should have police meet/set up cooperation with demonstrator groups Yes, if meetings public No
4
 P. Feltmate Ö N   Public unaware of PSB, room to improve Use MELT to build trust between event organizers and police Minutes are posted No
4
 G. Johnston Ö Y Fair-minded Yes, effective oversight but improve evaluation of police chief Policies should decrease tension with peaceful protesters Minutes are posted  
M
 T. Kilrea No oversight role Y Law and order, supports police Should be no civilian oversight PSB should let police do their job   Yes
15
 K. Klein Ö Y Lawyer, aims to protect public interest Yes, but would like more consultation Need to consult to find out the problems   Yes
4
 D. Leafloor   N     Don’t know Yes  
19
 G. Lowe Ö Y Wants to become police officer    None Yes  
6
 M. O’Rourke Ö N   Reasonable level of oversight Maintain training in crowd control Yes, for non-confidential business No
14
 D. Pickering Ö Y Open-minded, accessible to citizens Some trust but low public profile PSB to ensure level of policing and citizens to work with the police   Yes
12
 A. Rickman   Y Experienced in justice issues Uncertain: little PSB transparency, limited communication PSB should focus on improving public respect for free speech   Yes
14
 S. Sweeney Ö Y Fairness, wants transparency No lack of trust Don’t know Yes No

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES - PART 2


 
MorW

NAME

 Improved policing of major events

Changes needed

 Role of PSB in improving

Your contribution

 Need independent complaints review process Allow third party complaints
5a 5b 5c 5d 6a 6b
M
 J. Bell Exemplary, no change needed         Yes, but witnesses must be investigated
5
 D. Craig Yes, police gather and use intelligence   PSB should help with decisions at major events and cooperation with other forces Would try to keep PSB transparent Yes, every decision should be able to be appealed Yes
7
 A. Cullen Yes More dialogue with the public PSB needs to initiate this dialogue Would urge the PSB to begin the dialogue Need mechanism for independent review of police complaints Need mechanism to deal with third party complaints
12
 N. Duckworth Yes, but can go further Better prepare officers, sensitivity training PSB should take proactive steps to improve policing Would work with community groups, public and police Yes, would work for Ontario government to have arm’s length organization investigate complaints Undecided
4
 P. Feltmate Don’t know Don’t know Encourage police to work with protest organizers     Yes, but it is provincial responsibility
4
 G. Johnston Yes   PSB should look at other places for ideas to improve Would encourage the PSB as in (c) Yes, if fair and reasonable Yes, but use polygraphs to confirm validity
M
 T. Kilrea   PSB should just ensure police have tools for the job     Provincial responsibility Provincial responsibility
15
 K. Klein Need to consult Need to consult PSB mandate is appropriate Would bring legal background, critical eye and commitment PSB should remain independent Yes
4
 D. Leafloor Don’t know          
19
 G. Lowe Yes   Current role sufficient Would take appointment to PSB seriously   Would consider it to raise public confidence
6
 M. O’Rourke Yes, commendable Continue to monitor and train in crowd control Fulfil its mandate Would work to ensure compliance with guidelines and release information Avenues are available; provincial responsibility  
14
 D. Pickering Yes   PSB to uphold its AFX Would ensure decisions based on facts to meet security and freedom goals Yes Yes
12
 A. Rickman Not enough Stop preemptive arrests PSB should mediate between protesters, community, police Understanding of civil concerns would broaden community relations discussions Yes Yes
14
 S. Sweeney Don’t know       Yes, need independent body for investigation oversight  Yes, but increase penalties for frivolous complaints and have PSB decide on these

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES - PART 3


 
MorW

NAME

 5% of complaints valid Support improved complaint process Publicize pepper spray/taser guidelines Eliminate use of pepper spray/tasers Media sensationalize protests How Council can help
7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
M
 J. Bell No reason to believe otherwise     No, guidelines are in place for use An individual decision whether sensationalized  
5
 D. Craig Yes, many complaints are to deflect charges   No, police should not give information to the bad guys No, these are better than the alternatives Yes, all are put in a bad light Police could let the public view video; City or PSB could shoot own video 
7
 A. Cullen Hard to believe Yes Yes Need to set reasonable limits on use Yes, from time to time Provide venues for expression of dissent
12
 N. Duckworth No Yes Yes Would review policy with constituents; elimination may not be necessary Yes, but not intentionally downplaying value of free speech Not council’s role, but promote the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
4
 P. Feltmate Need to see the evidence, but shows need for independent review process   Yes   Yes Councilors can help by working with peaceful protesters
4
 G. Johnston Can’t say, but would want officers to take polygraph too   Yes No, unless police receive safer tools Yes PSB/politicians to make public the facts of the situation
M
 T. Kilrea Yes No No, police need these tools No, police need these tools The media are doing their job No role for City Council
15
 K. Klein Yes, until data is reviewed   Yes, unless it would put officers at risk No, better than guns, just use safely Base decisions on facts, not media reports  
4
 D. Leafloor Don’t know     Don’t know    
19
 G. Lowe Probably not accurate Would look at independent approach Yes No Yes Council can’t do much
6
 M. O’Rourke Yes   Yes, unless it would put officers at risk No No Council doesn’t control media
14
 D. Pickering Must see data   Yes   Media sensationalize but don’t downplay value of free speech  
12
 A. Rickman Need to see data Need independent body to evaluate and investigate complaints Yes Would support finding alternatives Yes Council could provide safe space to protest and work with both sides
14
 S. Sweeney Yes, some people want to deflect charges Would support effective, open process No, would help criminals;complaintprocess will catch misapplications of force No, better than alternative, but must be used properly Yes, but free speech is endangered by the violent protesters  

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES - PART 4


 
MorW

NAME

 Okay for police to videotape PSB to discourage videotaping Require destruction of unused videotape Set deadline to make AFX into policy Support increased use of MELT Support permanent positions for MELT
10a 10b 11 12 13a 13b
M
 J. Bell Police gathering evidence against criminals, no interest in the innocent    Yes Yes   Yes, policing is a priority for me
5
 D. Craig Good idea; anyone can tape events   Yes Yes Yes Try to get money from the province
7
 A. Cullen Ban videotaping of lawful events Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
12
 N. Duckworth Undecided; protesters should not hide; don’t use for profiling   Yes Yes Yes Need to review funding process
4
 P. Feltmate Sometimes, but need guidelines so not used to harass    Need guidelines on use Yes Yes Yes
4
 G. Johnston Yes,for i.d./proof but destroy if not useful No, okay if used properly Yes Yes Yes Yes
M
 T. Kilrea If in a public place, police are justified   Absolutely not No, don’t tie hands of police, can’t work from a script No No
15
 K. Klein Only where clearly appropriate   Yes Yes Yes Yes
4
 D. Leafloor All sides should be videotaped   Don’t know      
19
 G. Lowe Yes   Yes Yes Yes Should not have own budget
6
 M. O’Rourke Not unreasonable   Yes, as determined by PSB Haven’t seen AFX Yes, if decided after operational review If (a), yes
14
 D. Pickering Helps PSB review complaints   Yes Yes Yes Would be based on Program Review
12
 A. Rickman No, rights violation and intimidation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, strengthening credibility of police is good investment
14
 S. Sweeney No problem, it’s a public place   No incentive for police to retain if not useful Not familiar with AFX Yes City’s financial issues might prevent this