QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate's Name: Daryl Craig

Candidate's Ward: 5 - West Carleton


Section A: OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD (PSB)

1a) What is your understanding of the role of the Ottawa Police Services Board PSB)?
To look after all aspects of the Police Service, from funding to the way they police the public.
1b) If elected, will you seek to be appointed as one of the three City Council representatives?

Yes.

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

I spent 31 years on the streets of Ottawa as a Police Officer.

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 believe the process is a good one. If the public does not agree with an internal investigation into a complaint they can appeal to the Chief of Police if still not satisfied then to the ONTARIO CIVILIAN COMMISSION ON POLICE SERVICES in Toronto. If still not satisfied there is a process to appeal to Divisional Court.

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

I have been involved in some of these ‘major events’ and I do not have a problem with the way they were run. The process was open and the press was given access as long as the situation was not dangerous or had to be prohibited to preserve evidence.

 

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?

They should have their own web site and proceedings could be posted. If the meetings involved private complaints they should be kept confidential.

 

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:

  1. In your opinion, has the policing of major events since the November 2001 G-20 demonstrations improved?
Yes.
(b) If not, what needs to be done?

The City Police has done much to improve, they have assigned a few key personnel to be practically full time on major events. They have put those people in place to gain intelligence and form a proper action to any kind of disruptive demonstration. They have not taken for granted their intelligence, if a demonstration is planned they try and have sufficient personnel in place to minimize the public being disrupted or injured.

 

(c) What should be the role of the PSB?
The PSB should look at the initiatives and help with decisions in regards to police service at a particular event. Be a driving force in co-operation with other Services. i.e. Other City Services, OPP, RCMP.
(d) If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?
I will try and keep the PSB as a transparent arm of our City Services.
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:

(a) for an independent review of complaints against the police?

Yes, a process could be put in place so that every decision can be appealed.

(b) to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?
Yes, as in the case of the infamous video shot on Cambridge. The woman never complained yet the Police Officer involved was charged.
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?
Yes. There are many complaints filed in an attempt to deflect the criminal or provincial charges. It is very easy to complain and after the complaint is filed a full investigation must be completed.
(b) If no, will you work to establish an effective, independent and responsive complaints process here in Ottawa?
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?

The Police Service should not divulge specific uses for their equipment. The bad guys are always watching. Many criminals now use armour piercing bullets and wear bullet proof vests themselves. The public can sit on the sidelines and be armchair officers, but until they walk in their shoes they should temper their comments.

(b) changing the policy to eliminate use of these weapons by police? Why or why not?
There is an ongoing campaign for non-lethal methods for use by the police. If a developer comes up with a new weapon, the Police should investigate if its use would replace the arsenal that it at their disposal. You would have to agree that the use of pepper spray and tasers are better than black jacks and rubber bullets. (Black Jacks and small Batons were in use shortly before I was hired in the early 70’s.)
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 they try and put the protesters and the Police in a bad light. The protester for breaking windows and wearing masks and the Police in trying to subdue him.

(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?
If anyone was interested I’m sure the Police could be convinced to allow their own video be viewed by the public. The City or PSB could also be their own media and take photo’s and movies of these major events.
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?
I believe it is a good idea to show another side of the action. Anyone (group) can video tape an event in the normal public view.
(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?
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?
Yes.
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.
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?
Yes.
(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?
Money may be a problem. I would try and secure funding from the province.