CARGO
A financial future for Canadian law enforcement
When I became the editor of Blue Line, it was September 2021, the pandemic was still a big topic of discussion for many people, and calls to defund the police rang out loud and clear in the United States. I wondered just how loud those calls were here in Canada.
This curiosity was piqued yet again mid-2022 after I had a few conversations with Canadian police chiefs about what they felt were the biggest issues in the law enforcement industry at that time. What I heard from multiple chiefs was the need for sustainable funding models for policing in our country.
Over the past year, I kept my eyes and ears open for information on policing budgets, costs for training and technology, recruitment budgets, and so on. A recent story caught my eye concerning the Taber Police Service and the recent body worn camera mandate that came from the Alberta government. Due to the cost of the cameras and the added cost of managing the amount of data that will come from those cameras, many small- to medium-sized police agencies in Alberta may find it hard to find room in their budgets to comply. As Chief Graham Abela of the Taber Police said, “Part of my responsibility is to provide fiscally-responsible policing services, and if we were given the money by the province to pay for the body-worn systems and to manage the program, I think that I’d be more willing to take on the responsibility. I understand that that would be a fiscal challenge to the province, and it’s all taxpayer’s money, but at the end of the day, for our community to fund this, I’m not sure that it’s really necessary.”
(RCMP) retroactive salary decision made by the federal government in March. This retroactive pay period goes all the way back to April 1, 2017. It was interesting to see how the municipalities reacted to this news, wondering where in their city budgets they had the room to cover the back pay for the RCMP officers. Though this wasn’t specifically a policing budget issue, to me, it felt similar to the Taber Police story in the way that the city and the police department both had to figure out what to do after a decision from the government was made and it affected them financially.
New technologies cost the most and, unfortunately, to be a modern public safety service provider, police agencies must find
a way to pay for those items.
Finally, I felt I was ready to write a story for Blue Line, and I reached out to Chief Marc Roskamp of the St. Thomas Police Service and Chief Mike Callaghan of the Belleville Police Service to talk about some money matters.
Similar to Taber Police’s Chief Abela and the body worn cameras, both Chief Roskamp and Chief Callaghan said new technologies cost the most and, unfortunately, to be a modern public safety service provider, police agencies must find a way to pay for those items.
I was also able to ask the chiefs about their opinions on if there are better, more effective ways to do business, and what a sustainable funding model might look like in the future. You’ll find some key takeaways in this story, and you can find it on page 8.
As always, if there is a topic that you think we should be talking about, and that fellow officers could benefit and learn from, please reach out to me at any time (bschroeder@annexbusinessmedia.com).
Until next time, happy reading and be well.
Reader Service
Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact customer service
Angelita Potal
Tel: 416-510-5113
Fax: (416) 510-6875
email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com
Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1
GROUP PUBLISHER | PAUL GROSSINGER pgrossinger@annexbusinessmedia.com
PUBLISHER | ADAM SZPAKOWSKI aszpakowski@annexbusinessmedia.com
EDITOR | BRITTANI SCHROEDER bschroeder@annexbusinessmedia.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
EMERGENCY SERVICES GROUP | LAURA AIKEN laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER | JANICE EATON jeaton@annexbusinessmedia.com
MEDIA DESIGNER | SVETLANA AVRUTIN savrutin@annexbusinessmedia.com
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR | KATHRYN NYENHUIS knyenhuis@annexbusinessmedia.com
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BEATA OLECHNOWICZ | (416) 510-5182 bolechnowicz@annexbusinessmedia.com
PRESIDENT/COO | SCOTT JAMIESON sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com
ANNEX BUSINESS MEDIA 111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Tel. 416-442-5600 • Fax 416-442-2191
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40065710 ISSN 0847-8538 Printed in Canada
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada — 1 Year $31.50; 2 Year $52.50 plus tax USA — 1 Year $136.50 CAD
Occasionally, Blue Line will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
Annex Privacy Officer Privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com; Tel: 800-668-2374
Another story I came across focused on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
© 2023 Annex Business Media. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. Readers are cautioned and advised that articles presented herein are edited and supplied for your personal awareness and should not be used for further action until appropriate guidance is received from a supervisor, Crown Attorney or other persons in authority. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of this publication.
OACP & Blue Line Expo 2023
On May 9, Blue Line and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) welcomed over 240 attendees to the OACP & Blue Line Expo at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. This is the second year of the partnership between Blue Line and the OACP.
Over 70 vendors were present to show off the latest in technology, services and products from the law enforcement, corrections and security industries. This included clothing and boots, virtual reality training systems, law enforcement vehicles, drones, surveillance systems, police pistols, tactical gear, graphics for clothing and vehicles and so much more.
The event was sponsored by Blackberry, CN Police, D&R Electronics, Triton Police Innovations, Seneca, Commissionaires, Axon, DAVTECH, and Trimtag Trading Inc.
On the conference side, visitors attended two sessions and one award ceremony throughout the day.
Keynote
address: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
This year’s special keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. In his speech, he touched on the moves he and his government have made to ensure more boots are on the ground, serving the people of Ontario. This includes the recent removal of the post-secondary education requirement to become a police officer, and the elimination of basic constable training tuition fees at police college. He also thanked Blue Line and the OACP for the work they are doing for Canada’s police officers. After his session, the Premier visited every booth on the expo floor and spent several minutes speaking to each exhibitor.
Crisis communications: The golden hour or the golden minutes
The event’s platinum sponsor, Blackberry, offered a presentation that looked at first responder interoperability. Chris Ullah, a retired Police Superintendent from Greater Manchester Police, focused on communicating in major incidents and how
response times can be drastically reduced with Blackberry AtHoc. “Why, with all this technology, can we not communicate effectively?” he asked. During those crucial first moments of a crisis, clear efficient communications across all responders are essential. Indeed, it can mean the difference between life and death.
Rookie of the Year award presentation
The annual Blue Line Rookie of the Year award aims to highlight promising new officers who are effectively paving the way for the policing of today and tomorrow, and creating positive waves among their peers, agencies, communities and beyond.
This year’s winner was announced in March, and the award was presented at OACP & Blue Line Expo. Cst. Anik Dennie of the Greater Sudbury Police Service came up to the stage to accept her award and give a moving speech.
Editor’s note: A special thank you to all our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and presenters at this year’s conference and expo. Remember to check out the hashtag #OACPBLExpo for more photos of the event. We can’t wait to see you again in 2024!
CALENDAR
Rampart Range Day & Expo 2023
Date: May 30, 2023
Location: Ottawa, Ont. rampartcorp.com/rampart-range-day
2023 World Police & Fire Games
Date: July 28 – Aug. 6, 2023
Location: Winnipeg, Man. wpfg2023.com
118th CACP Annual Summit
Date: Aug. 20 – 22, 2023
Location: Ottawa, Ont. cacp.ca
Find more calendar events online at blueline.ca/events
DISPATCHES
On March 16, 2023, Edmonton Police Service Cst. Travis Jordan and Cst. Brett Ryan were killed in the line of duty while responding to a family dispute call. Cst. Jordan worked for the Kentville Police Service as a jail guard before he joined the EPS in 2014 as a member of Recruit Training Class #132. Following graduation, Jordan was assigned to West Branch where he spent almost 8 years working patrol as a member of Squad 4. His colleagues describe him as someone who took initiative, showed perseverance, was out-going, trustworthy and dependable. He is survived by his wife and parents. Prior to joining the EPS, Cst. Ryan served as a paramedic with Medavie Health Services and Alberta Health Services. He joined the EPS in 2017 as a member of Recruit Training Class #141. Following graduation, he was assigned to West Branch, Squad 4. In 2020, Ryan received an Award of Merit for work on a file which involved a 14-year-old unconscious and unresponsive female. He is survived by his wife and parents.
It is with great sadness that the Sûreté du Québec confirms the death of Sgt. Maureen Breau, which occurred during a police intervention on Mar. 27 in the evening in Louiseville, Que. Breau, who had just over 20 years of experience with the Sûreté du Québec, was assigned to the post of the MRC de Maskinongé.
Cst. Harvinder Singh Dhami, known to everyone as “Harvey”, of the Strathcona County detachment was killed in the line of duty on Apr. 10. Dhami was involved in a motor vehicle accident while responding to assist members with a noise complaint. He graduated Depot in 2019 and was posted in Strathcona Municipal detachment. Harvey was known as someone who was mature with a strong sense of responsibility, and took great pride in wearing the uniform.
Edmonton Police Service Cst. Corinne Kline passed away on Mar. 16, following a brief illness. Kline was 23 years old when she joined
the Edmonton Police Service in September 2001 as a member of Recruit Training Class #98.
Over her 22-year career, Kline served in patrol, worked on the front counter, and was a volunteer coordinator. Kline was known throughout the service and on social media for her energetic approach to life and commitment to the community. She leaves behind her husband and three children.
Cst. Patrick Hannas, the Edmonton Police Service Crime Stoppers Coordinator, passed away on Mar. 5, following an off-duty medical incident. As police liaison, Hannas was a mainstay of the Edmonton and Northern Alberta Crime Stoppers program for many years. Hannas joined the EPS in 1999. He worked in South Branch Patrol, Whyte Avenue Beats, Spousal Violence, Child Protection, School Resource Officer Unit and Crime Stoppers Detail. Hannas touched many lives over the years as a police officer, teacher and actor.
Darcy Fleury has been selected as the new Chief of Police for the Thunder Bay Police Service. Fleury has 36 years of experience with the RCMP and was previously the RCMP District Commander – Chief Superintendent, Central Alberta District based in Edmonton. Fleury assumed the role as Chief Designate on April 17 and a change of command ceremony was held on May 15. Originally from Manitoba, Fleury is a proud Member of Manitoba Metis Federation, where his father was a founding member.
Lauren Pogue has been appointed to Deputy Chief, Community Safety Command, of the Toronto Police Service. Pogue is a 34-year veteran of the TPS, and she has been acting in this role for the last nine months. Earlier in her career, Pogue fulfilled a number of supervisory roles and worked as an investigator in various units throughout the organization including Intelligence Services, the Drug Squad, the Fugitive Squad and the Firearms Enforcement Unit.
Robert Johnson is a 33-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service and most recently held the position of Staff Superintendent in charge of the Service’s Strategy Management Unit. He has recently been appointed to Deputy Chief of the Specialized Operations Command. Staff Superintendent Johnson is a proponent of police reform and modernization and was the Service’s lead on major police reform initiatives, which have included the Board’s 81 police reform directions to address systemic racism and strengthening trust with Toronto’s communities.
Chief Evan Bray of the Regina Police Service has announced his intent to retire. His last day will be June 30. “Being Regina’s Chief of Police has been the biggest honour of my professional life. I truly value the friendships and relationships I have had the opportunity to make over the years. This year marks my 28th year with the Regina Police Service and 7th year as Chief. In that time, although there have been significant challenges, I have been witness to some of the most incredible acts of bravery, professionalism and human connection,” said Chief Bray. He says he has no immediate plans upon retirement, but will be taking time with his family before planning the next part of his life.
Steve Gill has recently been appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of the Guelph Police Service. Deputy Chief Gill is a long-time resident of Guelph and joined the Guelph Police Service in 2001 after more than four years as a member of the Toronto Police Service. Throughout his career, he has held a number of roles including frontline patrol, detective constable, sergeant of uniform patrol and communications centre and staff sergeant in uniform patrol. In his most recent role, Gill was an inspector who oversaw investigative services, which includes a large team of criminal investigators and civilian support staff in various disciplines including drug enforcement, intelligence, the special victims unit and major crimes investigations. Deputy Chief Gill stepped into his new role effective April 3.