QUESTIONNAIRE
Candidate's Name: John BellWhat is your understanding of the role of the Ottawa Police Services Board (PSB)?
Candidate's Ward: Mayor
Section A: OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD (PSB)
1a)
Since this organization was formed without my participation, I will quote, from their website, their description of what they believe their role is: "The Ottawa Police Services Board serves as a link between the community and the Ottawa Police Service, monitors and evaluates the performance of the Chief of Police, and is responsible for setting policy, objectives and goals related to policing in the City." I see no reason that there is an alternate role.
1b) If elected, will you seek to be appointed as one of the three City Council representatives?
No. I believe that as mayor, I must oversee every aspect of every ward in Ottawa. Being a leader of representatives will consume much of my time during my tenure. I do not want to put forth a time constrained effort involving myself as a full time representative. It would not be honest.
1c) If so, why would you be particularly appropriate for this appointment?
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 that every citizen has some measure of trust in our city's police service. This type of diplomatic board is a fail safe to ensure that trust is upheld. It gives every citizen an assurance that if there may be inappropriate police conduct, that there are measures in place to protect from that.
3.What policies should the PSB introduce or update concerning the policing of major events, and why?
As far as I have seen over the past few years, the policing of major events by the Ottawa Police Force has been exemplary. The safety of all in attendance is first and foremost, and I see no reason to change tactics.
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 website and the PSB proceedings be posted there?
I see no reason that the PSB should not post on the OPS site. If there is a matter of privacy to individuals in some circumstances, then these may be omitted.
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:
- to uphold the democratic rights of all individuals to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly; and
- to ensure the safety of demonstrators and the rest of the community at major events.
- In your opinion, has the policing of major events since the November 2001 G-20 demonstrations improved?
Refer to question 3.
(b) If not, what needs to be done?
(c)What should be the role of the PSB?
(d)If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?
(b) to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?
Yes. This is a very dangerous line to walk in terms of truth from both sides of a complaint. What people witness and what actually occurs can be 2 entirely different things. For example, if someone were to witness myself shove another individual and call him to a fight, they might believe that an assault has or will take place. In reality, I may be shoving a friend in jest over a joke he made concerning a lost bet. This may be a simple example, but the heart of the matter is present. Serious allegations can do irreparable harm to an individual's reputation, even though it may be baseless in fact. This must be kept in mind for those who wish to make a complaint. They must be willing to undergo a scrupulous investigation if warranted, to ascertain the truth of such a matter.
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?
I have no reason to believe otherwise.
(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?
(b) changing the policy to eliminate use of these weapons by police? Why or why not?
There are already guidelines in place as to the use of these safety devices. Increasing violence or threat of violence towards an officer or individual of the public will result in escalating methods to prevent said violence.
9(a) Do you think that the media sensationalize protest activities and downplay the value of public expression of views in maintaining our democracy?
The media are independently operated businesses. It is up to each individual to ascertain whether a story is sensationalized.
(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?
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?
The police are gathering evidence against those that are committing crimes during a protest. They have no interest in individuals who are innocent.
(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. This type of process would alleviate any public fear of being "tracked" by the police when unwarranted.
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, if it does not detract from the best policy being formulated.
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. I have stated on my website platform that policing is a priority for my vision of Ottawa's future.