According to the Vancouver Police Board website, the board is selected to reflect the demographics of the local community. [...] The idea of accountable governance of public institutions is a core characteristic of Canada’s constitutional democracy, and is no less, and in many ways much more, applicable to policing than to the many other government services available to the public. [...] THE PROBLEMS: The lack of time spent by Vancouver police officers in diversity and sensitivity training is problematic, given the exceptionally young age of the Vancouver Police force and the Department’s existing practice of sending their rookies to the Downtown Eastside - frequently pairing junior officers together. [...] With the Olympic Games on the horizon, and the eye of the international community settling on Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department has the opportunity to be seen as a world leader in law enforcement. [...] A similar sentiment is reflected in the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2004 -2005 Annual Report, where it is stated that “routine disclosure is expeditious, consistent with the goals of openness and accountability and less expensive.” Transparency is a powerful mechanism in the service of accountability.
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- Published in
- Canada
