Letter to the Editor
The Ottawa SUN

Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement

Police occupy a unique position in any society. The law enforcement and public protection functions can be difficult and even dangerous. So important are these functions to society, however, that police are entrusted with extraordinary powers. Those intrusive powers include arrest and detention but also extend ultimately to the taking of life in situations where the risk to the lives of citizens or of the police themselves warrants. The absolute need for those extraordinary powers has presented societies with a dilemma. Who will police the police?

In democratic societies this has usually involved some form of civilian oversight function. In Ontario, this job is given, in part, to local police services boards or commissions. The boards are this society's first line mechanism for policing the police. (Ontario also has the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services to whom appeals concerning police wrong-doing can be referred.)

Boards must be jealous of their credibility with the people. As was stressed several times at two conferences on this topic last October, independence of the civilian oversight function is a fundamental requirement. This means independence from external influences and bias as well as from internal agendas coming from the police service itself. Credibility also demands transparency. The public must see the board in action and in debate. It must know that the board is working on its behalf.

We are more fortunate in Canada than in most countries with respect to the quality of our police services. It is important, however, that we not be too smug about this matter. We should not wait for incidents to occur before ensuring that the most credible oversight mechanisms are in place. This is the best way to defend society against possible abuse and corruption. It is also the best way to ensure that our police have the confidence of society and therefore the greatest cooperation from citizens at large.

Jacques Legendre
Councillor

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© 2007 councillor JACQUES LEGENDRE,  all rights reserved.
last updated on 2007-09-19