Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2013
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/4kNvY8sy
Website: http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Kirsten Hildebrand

NELSON CHIEF SUPPORTS TICKETS FOR POT POSSESSION

Top cops from across the country think ticketing for pot possession is
better than jail.

Nelson Police Department's Wayne Holland is among Canadian chiefs of
police who met in Winnipeg this week where a resolution was passed
suggesting officers should have the option of writing tickets to
penalize pot users caught with less than 30 grams of bud.

Canadian chiefs say this would be more effective and efficient than
laying criminal charges.

Holland agrees that this process would eliminate unnecessary red tape
for both law enforcement and the public. A ticket would mean no
criminal record, no court costs, no cost of a lawyer and the matter
would come to a quick conclusion unless the ticket was challenged.

Because pot use is prevalent in Nelson, ticketing would be a "good
fit," he said.

"The NPD already initiates and processes more criminal code charges of
simple drug possession per capita than almost anywhere in BC," Holland
told the Star.

"I think the last media article stated we were second highest - no pun
intended - as regards enforcement, so this initiative would allow us
to deal with such matters in a few minutes as opposed to a few months."

His officers catching people puffing would be able to stay on the beat
instead of returning back to the detachment to complete administrative
work. And the ticketed person wouldn't have to be jailed. The
marijuana issue would be dealt with in a fashion similar to being
ticketed for consuming liquor in public.

Trafficking marijuana and driving while under the influence would
still be handled as a criminal manner, but the majority of cases
arising involve people smoking recreationally.

While tough penalties for pot are becoming passe, turning a blind eye
isn't the way to go either, said Holland. Ticketing is a way to
address the changing attitudes toward marijuana while still policing
in a professional manner.

"This will save time and money and allow us to do what is expected of
us, on a transitional basis, until such time as society finally
decides on the level of tolerance it wants to have vis-a-vis drug
consumption."

While marijuana consumption is common in the Kootenay region and some
people believe there is a lax attitude within the communities, Holland
explained not everyone is on board with BC bud.

"We do receive a substantial number of complaints from citizens... and
these concerns from individuals who are not pro marijuana need to be
responded to and addressed," he said.

Holland has attended several annual meetings of Canadian Association
of Chiefs of Police over the years. He sits as a director of BC's and
the Yukon's Criminal Intelligence Bureau as well as the BC Association
of Chiefs of Police and the BC Municipal Chiefs of Police Association.
Through such organizations, he continues to build and maintain
professional contacts nationwide as well as gaining valuable knowledge.

"It is also a role that not many citizens are aware of," said Holland.
"Being a member of those entities keeps me current in regards to best
practices in policing from a national as well as a provincial
perspective - and allows me to access a lot of research and
information on programs that will benefit Nelson."

Other issues of note at the Canadian chiefs' association meeting are
use of social media in communicating with the public in crisis
situations, using cadets in departments and how to best sustain
policing given increasing costs.
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MAP posted-by: Matt