QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate's Name: Angela Rickman
Candidate's Ward: 12 – Rideau-Vanier

Section A: OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD (PSB)

1a) What is your understanding of the role of the Ottawa Police Services Board (PSB)?
1b) If elected, will you seek to be appointed as one of the three City Council representatives?

1c) If so, why would you be particularly appropriate for this appointment?

If elected I will seek an appointment to the Police Services Board, as I think it is essential to have strong, progressive representation on the board. I have worked on justice issues at the federal level, including the Young Offenders' Act and on Bill C-17, the gun control legislation. I know how important it is to have those who represent an approach that favours deterrence, rehabilitation, and prevention, rather than simply focussing on punishment. In addition, after having worked as an environmentalist for a number of years, having attended many protests around the world, as a mother and a citizen, I know how important the right to express dissent is, and how much that right has been eroded, particularly since September 11th. I have worked with police on developing agreement and opening communication regarding the logistics of protest, and feel that where there has been good, strong communication established, the outcomes have been much improved. I want to know that my children can march for peace, or against global corporatization without risking arrest or pepper spray.


2. Do you believe that the PSB has to date improved public trust in the police service by providing effective civilian oversight, thus assuring the community of appropriate police behaviour? Why or why not?

I am uncertain that the PSB has improved public trust, as there is so little transparency, and communications have been limited.

3. What policies should the PSB introduce or update concerning the policing of major events, and why?

There must be a better system to educate the public in general of the importance of freedom of expression and peaceful protest. The focus is largely on how well the police controlled a crowd after a protest. The PSB could instead focus on congratulating protesters on how well organized, peaceful, respectful, etc. they were.

4. In the spirit of transparency and openness related to public business, would you support:

(a) posting the records of the proceedings of the PSB on the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Web site?

(b) Or should the PSB have its own Web site and the PSB proceedings be posted there?

Transparency is essential if the PSB is to generate community trust. Proceedings should be posted on the PSB's own web site.

 

Section B: POLICY CONCERNS WITH THE PSB

5. In May 2002, the Citizen Panel on Policing and the Community made recommendations concerning aggressive police behaviour toward peaceful G-20 demonstrators in November 2001. According to the Ottawa Police Service's Agenda for Excellence, released in April 2002, the stated objectives of the OPS are:
(a) In your opinion, has the policing of major events since the November 2001 G-20 demonstrations improved?

Not enough.

(b) If not, what needs to be done?

Preemptive arrests are unconstitutional and should not be carried out.
(c) What should be the role of the PSB?
The PSB should help bridge the gap between protesters, the community, and police, and operate as a mediator for communications.
(d) If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?

My unique understanding of the concerns of civil society will lend a broader spectrum to discussions regarding community relations.
6. Ontario regulations from 1997 make this the only province in Canada to NOT allow third party complaints about police behaviour, i.e. a witness to police wrongdoing cannot file a complaint with the PSB. Ontario regulations from 1997 also put the complaints process entirely in the hands of the police (investigation, hearings, adjudication). This is a clear conflict of interest. The City of Toronto Auditor has been very critical of this situation. Will you push to have the Ontario Minister of Public Safety and Security recognize the need:
  1. for an independent review of complaints against the police?
  2. to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?
I support the creation of an independent complaints review process, and to allow the inclusion of complaints by third parties.

7. More than 200 complaints were made to the PSB in 2002 concerning alleged police misconduct in Ottawa. The Board found that less than 5% were substantiated.

(a) Do you believe this percentage is valid?

(b) If no, will you work to establish an effective, independent and responsive complaints process here in Ottawa?

I am not able to make an informed comment on the validity of complaints that I am not familiar with. I do, however, feel there is a need for an independent body to evaluate and investigate complaints, and I would work to support its creation.

8. Pepper spray and tasers have potentially lethal effects. Amnesty International has expressed concerns about their use. As a member of City Council and possible member of the PSB, would you support:

(a) making public the guidelines for the use of either of these weapons? Why or why not?

(b) changing the policy to eliminate use of these weapons by police? Why or why not?

I would support both publicising the guidelines governing the use of pepper spray and tasers, and working to find alternatives that are less harmful. There are other methods of controlling a crowd that, while still dangerous, are less potentially harmful.
9(a) Do you think that the media sensationalize protest activities and downplay the value of public expression of views in maintaining our democracy?
Yes, protests are sensationalized, and the activities that get publicity are inevitably those involving violence and property damage.

(b) If so, in what ways can City Council contribute to a balanced perception by citizens of the rights of those who wish to express dissent in public places?

The City could support the right of the public to express dissent by providing citizens with a safe space for protest, and for working with protesters and business and police to ensure peaceful protests can be carried out.

10. The Ottawa police are increasingly videotaping citizens involved in or near demonstrations, possibly violating privacy rights.

(a) Do you agree with this? If so, why?

(b) If you do not agree with this, would you support the PSB, as part of its oversight responsibility, in discouraging the use of intimidating and indiscriminate taping of citizens?

I do not agree with filming protesters, both because it is a violation of rights, and it is also used by some forces as an intimidation tactic. I have had a police camera film my two children without my permission, during a peaceful rally at which I was speaking, which is obviously not in the interests of public security, as neither one was over six years of age, and they were dressed as endangered species.


11. The OPS has said that video shot of peaceful demonstrators, not needed for any criminal prosecution, is destroyed afterward. Would you support the PSB requiring a periodic report from the OPS confirming that this destruction of the images has been done within a specified timeframe?

In the event that filming remains an accepted policy, I would insist on periodic confirmation of the destruction of tapes.


Section C. AGENDA FOR EXCELLENCE (AFX) FOR POLICING MAJOR EVENTS

12. Since the Agenda for Excellence was released as a draft document in April 2002, nothing appears to have been done to finalize the document as policy for the Ottawa Police Service. Since the PSB is responsible for establishing policing policy, whether you are on City Council or on the PSB itself, would you support setting a short deadline for having the very good principles and guidelines in the AFX incorporated as policy for the OPS?

Yes I would.

13. The Major Events Liaison Team (MELT) unit was created as part of the AFX, and intended to work on improving communications between police and protestors at major events so as to defuse dangerous situations. Initially they appeared to have some success in this role. However they were not present at significant later events where violence has taken place (e.g., eviction of protestors from 246 Gilmour Street in July 2002, Algerian refugees and their supporters tasered at Minister of Immigration's office in May 2003).

(a) Would you be willing to find out more about the status of this unit and support its increased use as per its original mandate?

(b) As the MELT members are only on assignment to this group and the funding is unclear, would you push for the MELT unit to be made a permanent part of the OPS structure, i.e. with a budget and one or more permanent positions?

Yes, the community should be made aware of the MELT and its mandate, and this should be a permanent part of the Police structure. Improving community relations can only serve to strengthen the credibility of the police force, which is a good investment.