QUESTIONNAIRE
Candidate's Name: Alex Cullen
Candidate's Ward: 7 - Bay
Section A: OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD (PSB)

1a) What is your understanding of the role of the Ottawa Police Services Board (PSB)?

The PSB appoints the Chief of Police, sets the budget and provides policy direction.

 

1b) If elected, will you seek to be appointed as one of the three City Council representatives?
No, at this time I do not intend to seek this appointment, due to other priorities.
1c) If so, why would you be particularly appropriate for this appointment?

2. Do you believe that the PSB has to date improved public trust in the police service by providing effective civilian oversight, thus assuring the community of appropriate police behaviour? Why or why not?

I have not seen any changes in the PSB in this regard.

3. What policies should the PSB introduce or update concerning the policing of major events, and why?
The PSB should open a public dialogue on how the right to free expression and to assembly freely can mesh with public safety.
4. In the spirit of transparency and openness related to public business, would you support:

(a) posting the records of the proceedings of the PSB on the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Web site?
Yes.
(b) Or should the PSB have its own Web site and the PSB proceedings be posted there?
Not necessary, as long as it is made public (i.e. posted).

Section B: POLICY CONCERNS WITH THE PSB

5. In May 2002, the Citizen Panel on Policing and the Community made recommendations concerning aggressive police behaviour toward peaceful G-20 demonstrators in November 2001. According to the Ottawa Police Service's Agenda for Excellence, released in April 2002, the stated objectives of the OPS are:
  1. In your opinion, has the policing of major events since the November 2001 G-20 demonstrations improved?

    2. The G8 demonstrations (which followed the G20) were handled much better by the police.


    (b)     If not, what needs to be done?
    This was a positive step but not the final one. More dialogue with the public is needed.
    (c) What should be the role of the PSB?
    The PSB has the obligation to initiate this dialogue with the police and the community.
    (d) If appointed to the PSB, how will you help?
    I do not intend to seek appointment to the PSB (time does not permit) but I would urge the PSB to begin this needed dialogue.

    6.     Ontario regulations from 1997 make this the only province in Canada to NOT allow third party complaints about police behaviour, i.e. a witness to police wrongdoing cannot file a complaint with the PSB. Ontario regulations from 1997 also put the complaints process entirely in the hands of the police (investigation, hearings, adjudication). This is a clear conflict of interest. The City of Toronto Auditor has been very critical of this situation. Will you push to have the Ontario Minister of Public Safety and Security recognize the need:

    (a) for an independent review of complaints against the police?

    There needs to be a mechanism for an independent review of police complaints.

     

    (b) to allow complaints to be filed by witnesses and others?

    There needs to be a mechanism to deal with third party complaints.
    7. More than 200 complaints were made to the PSB in 2002 concerning alleged police misconduct in Ottawa. The Board found that less than 5% were substantiated.

    (a)     Do you believe this percentage is valid?
    While we have a good police force, it is hard to believe that it is 95% perfect all the time.
    (b) If no, will you work to establish an effective, independent and responsive complaints process here in Ottawa?

    Yes.

    8. Pepper spray and tasers have potentially lethal effects. Amnesty International has expressed concerns about their use. As a member of City Council and possible member of the PSB, would you support:

    (a)     making public the guidelines for the use of either of these weapons? Why or why not?
    Yes, there has to be reasonable limits.
  2. changing the policy to eliminate use of these weapons by police? Why or why not?
I support setting reasonable limits on their use.

 9.(a) Do you think that the media sensationalize protest activities and downplay the value of public expression of views in maintaining our democracy?
Yes, from time to time.
(b) If so, in what ways can City Council contribute to a balanced perception by citizens of the rights of those who wish to express dissent in public places?
By providing venues for the expression of dissent.
10. The Ottawa police are increasingly videotaping citizens involved in or near demonstrations, possibly violating privacy rights.

(a) Do you agree with this? If so, why?

Video taping those engaged in lawful activities should be banned. There has to be a justifiable reason to videotape.

 

(b) If you do not agree with this, would you support the PSB, as part of its oversight responsibility, in discouraging the use of intimidating and indiscriminate taping of citizens?
Yes.

11. The OPS has said that video shot of peaceful demonstrators, not needed for any criminal prosecution, is destroyed afterward. Would you support the PSB requiring a periodic report from the OPS confirming that this destruction of the images has been done within a specified timeframe?

Yes.

Section C. AGENDA FOR EXCELLENCE (AFX) FOR POLICING MAJOR EVENTS

12. Since the Agenda for Excellence was released as a draft document in April 2002, nothing appears to have been done to finalize the document as policy for the Ottawa Police Service. Since the PSB is responsible for establishing policing policy, whether you are on City Council or on the PSB itself, would you support setting a short deadline for having the very good principles and guidelines in the AFX incorporated as policy for the OPS?

Yes.
13. The Major Events Liaison Team (MELT) unit was created as part of the AFX, and intended to work on improving communications between police and protestors at major events so as to defuse dangerous situations. Initially they appeared to have some success in this role. However they were not present at significant later events where violence has taken place (e.g., eviction of protestors from 246 Gilmour Street in July 2002, Algerian refugees and their supporters tasered at Minister of Immigration's office in May 2003).

(a) Would you be willing to find out more about the status of this unit and support its increased use as per its original mandate?
Yes.
  1. As the MELT members are only on assignment to this group and the funding is unclear, would you push for the MELT unit to be made a permanent part of the OPS structure, i.e. with a budget and one or more permanent positions?
Yes.