QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate's Name: Natasha Duckworth
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)?

The PSB is a governing body for the Ottawa Police in which they make policies for policing and investigates complaints that are filed against the Ottawa Police.
1b) If elected, will you seek to be appointed as one of the three City Council representatives?
Yes, I would seek to be elected to the PSB as a City Council representative.

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

I would be appropriate for this appointment because of my commitment to improve Police-Community relations particularly for youth, young males. I will work to ensure marked change in police relations with the public. If this cannot be done within the present module, then I will make note of the hindrances within the PSB and make recommendations to remove these barriers to effective and accountable policing.

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?

No, I do not believe that the PSB has improved public trust in police services by providing effective civilian oversight because public trust is still strained and the PSB is not supportive to the notion of civilian oversight. Public consultation is not civilian oversight.

3. What policies should the PSB introduce or update concerning the policing of major events, and why?
The PSB should consider having Police Relations Officers meet with demonstrator groups who plan to attend a major event to work cooperatively with the groups to ensure a peaceful, effective demonstration. This would also allow organizers and Police Services to explain and understand what to expect from each other, as well as how both groups plan to deal with violence.
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?
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the PSB access to information policy, therefore I am not in a position to say if the PSB should post the records of its proceedings online. If all proceedings can be attended by members of the public, then I would support posting the proceeding online on the Ottawa Police Services 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:
  1. In your opinion, has the policing of major events since the November 2001 G-20 demonstrations improved?
    2. While I don't believe that the policing of major events has improved to the level it needs to get to, I do believe that Police Services, at all levels, make the effort to better prepare officers for major events.

    (b)     If not, what needs to be done?
    The effort to better prepare officers is important to improving policing, and I would encourage additional sensitivity training to the issues of the event and the culture of the people most likely to attend.
    (c) What should be the role of the PSB?
    The PSB should take proactive measures to improve the quality of service that the public receives from the Ottawa Police.
    (d) If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?

    I will work with community groups, the public and police officers to make recommendations for improving the quality of service received on all levels.

    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?
  2. to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?
I absolutely support the need for an independent review of complaints against the police, however I'm undecided on allowing complaints to be filed by witnesses and others. I would work hard to have the Ontario Minister of Public Safety and Security recognize the need for an arm's length organization investigate complaints against Police Services. I would also highlight the fact that an independent investigation would be a major step to improving public trust in Police Services.
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?
No, I do not believe this percentage is valid.

(b) If no, will you work to establish an effective, independent and responsive complaints process here in Ottawa?
Yes, I will work to establish an effective, independent and responsive complaints process for 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?
As the elected member of City Council for Rideau-Vanier, I do support making public the guidelines for the use of pepper spray and tasers because the public should know under what circumstances these weapons may be used. This would assist in clarifying police misconduct.
(b) changing the policy to eliminate use of these weapons by police? Why or why not?

I would have to review the policy for the use of these weapons with members of my ward and the public before I would support the elimination of these weapons by the police. The elimination of these weapons may not be necessary, if for example a clear verbal warning is given by the Police to the person they are about to subdue. In some cases the people they are going to subdue are unable to comprehend the verbal warning, therefore additional alternatives would need to be reviewed.
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, I believe the media sensationalizes protest activities. However, I don't believe that the media intentionally downplays the value of public expression of views which is the basis for 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?

I don't believe that it is City Council's role to provide a balanced perception of those who wish to express dissent in public. However, I believe that City Council should continue to promote the rights expressed in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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 am undecided on the issue of videotaping citizens involved with or near demonstrations. When I marched for the Freedom of Nelson Mandela and other issues that were dear to my heart, I was not afraid to let the world know who I was and what I was marching for.

However, I don't support the use of these videotapes for any other reason
than to review the events of the day, i.e. capturing vandals etc., and the
videotapes should not be used to profile demonstrators for future
demonstrations. Each demonstration should be based on the events of their
respective demonstrations.
(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, I do support the PSB implementing a policy of periodic reports from the OPS confirming the destruction of images within a specified timeframe.
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?

I do support setting a deadline for having the principles and guidelines in the AFX incorporated as policy for the OPS.

 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, I am willing to find out more about the MELT 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?
I would have to review the organizational outline and funding process before I would recommend the unit be made permanent, but I definitely support this proactive measure and would to work to ensure it or a similar structure remains in place.