Police service boards grapple with diversity, inclusion amid calls for change

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Police services boards, or commissions as they are sometimes known, are reexamining the role they play in making law enforcement more responsive to the needs of racialized members of their communities.

OTTAWA -- Daljit Nirman's message was clear: Before the Ottawa police could better meet a diverse community's needs, they must take meaningful steps to ensure their own ranks are free of bias and discrimination.

"We now need to work on building and strengthening our trust among the membership and communities we are serving," Nirman, a lawyer who joined the board in February of last year, said at the meeting.The motion passed easily and received firm support from Peter Sloly, Ottawa's first Black police chief, who also attended.

Those who have spent decades working with police boards believe in the bodies but say they often fall short of fulfilling their potential. The reasons are many: lack of a clear mission, inadequate funding, poor or non-existent training, not enough diversity and a sometimes too cosy relationship with the police chief.

Many boards are either severely hampered by a lack of resources and political backing, or they simply accept the status quo and play what Andrew Graham calls the chummy "golf club game" of going along with what the police chief wants. "Most municipalities, I think, if they had their way would say, get rid of the boards. They're just driving up the budget, they're in the way, we should be running the police board directly."

"And that does not mean that they agree all the time -- absolutely not. But it does mean that it is a respectful relationship and they can have a discussion," said Ruth, a former police constable with a degree in criminology.Ruth began serving on the Halifax Regional Municipality's Board of Police Commissioners in 2011 and recalls that she, along with a couple of others, became frustrated at not being heard.

 

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Who is in power of this country the people or the media? Big choices are supposed to goto referendum. Not a biased media.

As a recruiter I can openly and honestly say police services are not grappling with inclusive hiring, they are and have been hiring from all races, LGBTQ , female, males and wholeheartedly reflect society for years. Not sure why you would say we are not!!!

Before major changes are made shouldnt it be decided by a referendum? Probably would make most sense on municipality as some places maybe perfectly happy with there policing. If its an issue its only fair for all to have a referendum on it. Instead of dictating.

Systemic racism through quota hiring has never resulted in best candidates nor increased respect for uniform. Many of the issues today are a result of past policies trying to connect policing to “community” representation instead of choosing best candidates based on merit.

ottawacity are guilty of too many officers “suspended with pay” for committing crimes:

OttawaPolice has diversity: Lots & Lots of criminal officers suspended with pay.

Google, “Ottawa Police Officer Suspened” it’s incredible how many bad police officers there are today getting suspended with pay .

The D.I.E. ideology has infiltrated politics & academia with negative results. It has no place in a free and democratic country. Unity, Merit and Equality should be focussed on to better our society.

i gather doing their job is not a option .

Grapple with this baby

Yes.. Change this Prick..

You misspelled Marxist takeover

Who is calling for change exactly besides a small, extremely loud minority?

You can't force diverse groups to apply. When you go out of your way to hire people because of their skin color you inevitably leave out more qualified applicants. Its happening with all police forces in ontario. Enjoy your policing people. You deserve it.

Liberal B.S.

Absolute bullshit.

Hmmm....doubt this headline 🙄

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