British Columbia
Battle over future of Surrey policing heads to court | CBC News
After years of public wrangling, the seemingly interminable debate over policing in the City of Surrey will move to B.C. Supreme Court this week for a battle pitting two fundamental rights against each other: the will of the people and the need for public safety.
Why the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service should be designated as a provincial police service
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is a police-like body which is not subject to police oversight. This must change.
Advocates for drug users push back against B.C.'s shift on decriminalization | Canada's National Observer: Climate News
Advocates for drug users are raising concerns about British Columbia's request for Health Canada to empower police to step in when they see illicit drug use in public spaces, saying it may be a step backward in the fight against the deadly opioid crisis.
British Columbia to recriminalize use of drugs in public spaces | CBC News
Province says people who don't pose threat to public safety will not be charged for mere possession.
RCMP again skirt charges in another Indigenous man’s death at their hands - Windspeaker.com
The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) decided April 23 not to approve charges against three RCMP members in the July 8, 2021 ‘fatal shooting’ of Jared “Jay” Lowndes, a 38-year-old father of two, and member of the Laksilyu Clan, Wet’suwet’en. “Shame on the BC Prosecution Service and shame on the RCMP for this grave injustice,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
B.C. judge refuses to seal documents alleging RCMP bullying against Surrey police
VANCOUVER — B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kevin Loo says court documents detailing alleged bullying and harassment of Surrey Police Service members by the RCMP shouldn't be kept from the public. Loo refused to seal the material, saying allegations that are "sometimes justified and sometimes spurious" are tendered every day in court. His ruling came on the second day of a legal challenge by the City of Surrey against the B.C. Public Safety minister's order to continue a transition from the RCMP to t
Policing and public safety initiatives moving forward | Cranbrook, East Kootenay
Policing and public safety initiatives moving forward
First Nations Leadership Council joins call for probe into lack of police prosecutions - The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal
‘We are shocked and angered, and will not be backing down’ — FNLC
West Van Mayor Mark Sager steps down as police board chair. - North Shore News
Coun. Christine Cassidy will now represent the district on the West Van police board. A new board chair will be chosen in a vote May 29
Saanich police chief’s contract extended three years - Victoria Times Colonist
Chief Const. Dean Duthie has been in the role since February 2022, after serving as deputy chief and a variety of other policing roles in Saanich
Board’s position puts racialized people in ‘victim role’ - Victoria Times Colonist
“I’m tired of white people indoctrinating racialized children into thinking they aren’t safe from police here in Victoria,” Mia Golden told the Greater Victoria School Board.
Alberta
Edmonton councillors say more transparency needed after police commission refuses audit plan | CBC News
The Edmonton police commission's decision to not co-operate in providing information for an audit and program service review plan has some city councillors calling for more transparency.
Makeshift slaughterhouse in a residential garage points to growing concerns about illicit meat sales | CBC News
Alberta authorities are investigating several cases of illicit meat slaughter and sale. That's leading to concerns about food safety.
Police chief discusses Calgary’s rezoning plans and recruitment efforts at CPS | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Police chief discusses Calgary’s rezoning plans and recruitment efforts at CPS Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
Saskatchewan
Sask. ministers dub drug decriminalization 'a disaster' as B.C. seeks to roll back pilot | CBC News
Saskatchewan's addictions and justice ministers say British Columbia's recent decision to rollback parts of its drug decriminalization pilot is proof the controversial strategy isn't a viable solution to either province's overdose crisis. But the news hasn't swayed some health researchers and drug policy reform advocates calling for Saskatchewan to decriminalize simple possession.
Manitoba
Community Safety Officers now patrolling Portage - PortageOnline.com - Local news, Weather, Sports, Free Classifieds and Job Listings
The Community Safety Officer (CSO) program has officially started in Portage la Prairie. Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief for the City Brad Bailey says it's new for the entire southern portion of Manitoba.
Community leaders brainstorm at first safety summit – Winnipeg Free Press
Premier Wab Kinew told delegates to Manitoba’s first safety summit that he wants to provide young people with a pathway to university — not a pipeline to prison. “We are one province, and we are inves...
Ontario
Toronto Police Service charges constable with perjury, attempt to obstruct justice | CP24.com
A Toronto police officer has been charged for allegedly lying to investigators probing a criminal case involving an individual he had a relationship with.
Hamilton police officer who assaulted Indigenous man in 'disturbing' act to be demoted for 1 year | CBC News
Brian Wren will be demoted in rank from first to second-class constable for one year and then will be reinstated to his current position, says the retired OPP officer who oversaw his disciplinary hearing.
Fred Bennink forced to leave Hamilton police board due to new policing act | CBC News
Hamilton Police Services Board will have a new acting chair after Fred Bennink, who has been on the board for five years, announced Thursday would be his final meeting due to the new provincial Community Safety and Policing Act.
Court rules names of officers involved in Ejaz Choudry's death cannot stay secret | CBC News
Ontario's Superior Court of Justice has ruled that police officers who fatally shot a mentally ill man in crisis in 2020 should not have their names shielded from the public.
Black residents in Hamilton forming advisory panel about policing concerns | CBC News
Members of the Black community in Hamilton are looking to form an advisory panel to "address, respond and prioritize" concerns about policing in the city, according to the executive director of Hamilton's Anti-Racism Resource Centre.
Police chief apologizes for comments made after Zameer verdict | CBC News
Toronto's police chief is apologizing for his "choice of words" in reacting to the acquittal of a man who had been accused of fatally running over an officer.
Hamilton police pitch body-worn cameras, again, with a new $11M price tag | CBC News
The program would come with a $15.5 million price tag over five years — $4.5 million of which it is already spending — and see the service buy 650 cameras.
'Threat to public safety' prompts push for bail reform from police in Mississauga, Brampton | insauga
Citing concerns for public safety given a dramatic rise in violent carjackings and other serious crimes in Mississauga, Brampton and across Canada, police in Peel are again pushing Ottawa for significant bail reform. A recent letter sent by the Peel Police Service Board to Arif Virani, federal minister of justice and attorney general, emphasizes “the […]
Lawyer Julian Falconer says families can't trust Thunder Bay police
Lawyer Julian Falconer says too much has happened in Thunder Bay and families can no longer trust the police in the city.
New contentious community safety by-law coming into effect in May in Kingston - Kingston | Globalnews.ca
Public safety is the main topic of concern for a new community standards by-law set to take effect in Kingston at the start of May.
OPS will mull greater transparency around suspensions, chief says | CBC News
As police suspensions in Ontario come under increasing scrutiny, Ottawa's police chief says he's open to considering options for keeping the public better informed about them.
Sault police chief says IPV pilot a success
The new IPV program began in Sault Ste. Marie in March of this year.
Police board administrator issues final report to OCPC - TBNewsWatch.com
Read the full story and comment on Tbnewswatch.com
Calls grow for apology after Peel police chief meets Sri Lankan ‘torturer’ | Globalnews.ca
There are growing calls — including from a Toronto city councillor — for the Peel Regional Police chief to apologize for meeting the notorious head of Sri Lankan police.
Quebec
Morning Update: McGill University threatens police action to clear pro-Palestinian encampment - The Globe and Mail
Protest organizer says the university has ‘not engaged substantially in any negotiation about our actual demands’
National
Globe editorial: Only Ottawa can fix the Mounties and keep Canada safe - The Globe and Mail
The Mounties can’t modernize on their own, and the money and mandate they need to do so must come from Ottawa
RCMP’s ability to defend national security is eroding, report warns | Radio-Canada.ca
Federal policing is 'stretched thin' and it's putting Canadians at risk, Management Advisory Board says
Mike Duheme: Interim RCMP commissioner made permanent | CTV News
Mike Duheme is the new head of the RCMP, after filling in the role on an interim basis for the past year.
Police reform, the case for defunding, and the obstacles to both | CBC.ca
It used to be a given that increased spending on police budgets meant increased security — and that police budgets were untouchable. In less than three weeks, though, the Black Lives Matter movement has completely changed the conversation. Robyn Maynard, the author of Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present, makes the case for defunding. And John Sewell, co-ordinator of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition and a former mayor of Toronto, explains the forces, as powerful as ever, that are working against change.
Poilievre hints to police he would use notwithstanding clause to change laws | CBC News
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he would use "whatever tools the Constitution allows" to pass criminal laws if his party forms the next government.