Pubdate: Fri, 25 Apr 2003
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Alex Browne

BIG CITY'S TOP COP TALKS CRIME

Police misconduct, integration of services, a hard line on drugs and 
dispersal of crime to suburbs such as White Rock and Surrey were on the 
mind of Vancouver's top cop when Jamie Graham spoke to White Rock and South 
Surrey Chamber of Commerce at Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club April 17.

Chief Inspector Graham emphasized that police take a hard line on all 
crime--including misconduct by officers.

But he said he sees no evidence of Vancouver clamp-down on crime pushing 
problems to the suburbs.

If anything, Graham said, the flow is the other way. He noted many 
participants in the Vancouver riot after cancellation of the Guns N' Roses 
concert had suburban addresses--including Surrey--and most were from Alberta.

In an apparent reference to investigation of an alleged Vancouver police 
beating of a suspect, he said police misconduct is a serious concern, but 
rare in Canada.

"Misconduct affects us all," he said.

"Don't think we don't take this seriously. My reputation rides along with 
that."

Graham said, unlike other countries, where corruption is rife and police 
may take someone away in the night, Canada's problems are with individual 
cases of misconduct.

"We live under the rule of law, which is important to our concept of 
democracy," he said.

"Elected officials must deal with a certain level of compromise, but police 
are the front line between us and crime, and the last line of order. Every 
police officer in Canada swears an oath to uphold the law--and if you don't 
get it, you're in the wrong line of business." Graham said he doesn't play 
politics because he isn't good at it.

"If I allow anyone to dictate my job I'm abdicating my responsibility."

He acknowledged a free press is a necessary thorn-in-the-side.

"There's nothing I hate more and nothing I respect more than reporters," he 
said.

"No matter what you say, the reporter will get to the truth. If you make a 
mistake, tell the truth."

Talking about integration of services among RCMP and other Lower Mainland 
forces, he said there is "no secret plan for Vancouver to take over South 
Surrey."

But he warned that 10 years from now "the map of policing in this area 
won't look the same as it does now" as pooling of resources makes more 
sense than having shortfalls in smaller detachments.

"Do you really care, if a crime happens in Hazelmere and the dog handler 
comes from Vancouver, as long as you get good solid service?" he asked.

Graham talked about transformation of the drug-ridden Downtown Eastside 
since the addition of 60 patrolling officers.

"Once again people are walking with their families. Never, ever, will it 
return to the way it was before."

Graham said there has been no evidence crime has dispersed as a result.

"A flood of drug traffickers was supposed to come this way, but it's not 
happening," he said.

"Dispersal is a huge issue, but there is no empirical evidence of dispersal 
here.

"We're not going after addicts, we're going after dealers. If you're a 
dealer we're sending you a message: you're going to be arrested."

Graham acknowledged Vancouver is the "epicenter of the drug problem in the 
world" but said a lot of the problem is due to an overwhelmed court system 
unable to mete out punishment.

"We have people out on their sixth bail," he said.

In his role of president of the B.C. Chiefs of Police he is a strong 
opponent of decriminalization of marijuana, noting advocates recommend 
legal amounts that would be huge.

"But we have a bigger problem with booze than with drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom