Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jan 2004
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2004, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Bruce Littlejohn
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n127/a09.html?1310

POLICING THE POLICE

Bracebridge, Ont. -- I found Kirk Makin's article Toronto Police Blocked 
RCMP Corruption Probe (Jan. 20) both distressing and in some ways bitterly 
laughable.

Perhaps, above all, it highlights the regrettable lack of strong civilian 
oversight where the Toronto Police Service is concerned. Since 1997, when 
Bill 105 (the Ontario Police Services Amendments Act) was made law at 
Queen's Park, effective civilian oversight of police has been swept away.

In particular, a Police Complaints Commission was killed, along with an 
external and independent complaints commissioner. The separate provincial 
board of inquiry process ceased to exist, as did the civilian authority to 
order independent investigations by non-officers.

After 1997, all public complaints would lead to the office of the chief of 
police of the force that employed the officer who was the subject of a 
complaint. How convenient. And how dangerous.

Bruce Littlejohn
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom