Candidate's Name: Kris Klein

Candidate's Ward: 15 - Kitchissippi

Section A: OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD (PSB)

1a) What is your understanding of the role of the Ottawa Police Services Board (PSB)?

The Ottawa Police Services Board liases 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.

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?

Im a lawyer. One of the reasons Im running in this election is to help ensure that the streets of Ottawa are safe for all of us. My legal training and knowledge makes me a good candidate to protect the public interest.

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?

Yes. Overall, theyre doing a good job and have developed a number of excellent policies ­ particularly their policy on public consultations. Transparency of the decision making process is key. When elected, Ill push to ensure that consultations are pursued even more aggressively.

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

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?

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?

We need to consult to find out. We cant base important decisions on mere feelings resulting from media stories.

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

We need to consult.

(c) What should be the role of the PSB?

The PSBs current mandate would appear to be appropriate.

(d) If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?

Ill bring to the job my extensive legal background, a critical eye and a commitment to consultations.

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?

Its a matter of common sense that the PSB should remain independent.

(b) to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?

We should listen to anyone with relevant information.

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 take them at their word until I have the opportunity to review the relevant data. However, when elected, you can be assured that I will.

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?

We shouldnt be removing tools that, although potentially lethal, are less lethal than guns. We should focus instead on ensuring that we use them safely.

9(a) Do you think that the media sensationalize protest activities and downplay the value of public expression of views in maintaining our democracy?

(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?

(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. The PSB must insist on both transparency and accountability. It only makes sense to destroy personal information like that when no longer needed.


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?

(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.