Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Saskatoon Police Chief Sees No Racism In The Work His Officers Do

The Canadian Press, 11 Dec, 2015 10:45 AM
    SASKATOON — RCMP Commission Bob Paulson has admitted there are racist officers on the force, but Saskatoon's police chief says he doesn't believe racist views are being translated through the work his officers do.
     
    Chief Clive Weighill's comment came Thursday as the city's board of police commissioners considered a report on the practice of street checks, where officers stop and question people out of a "reasonable suspicion" of criminal activity.
     
    Weighill defended the practice but a small group of protesters attended the meeting and stood and turned their backs when the matter was being discussed as a sign of their opposition.
     
    When they refused to sit, they were asked to leave.
     
    Outside the meeting, the protesters said the street checks are disproportionately used on aboriginals, people of colour and poor people.
     
    Earlier this week, Paulson admitted to a meeting of chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations in Gatineau, Que., that there are racists on his police force, adding he doesn't want them there and urging delegates to report any abuses.
     
    The matter has also been at the forefront in Ontario, where the province is trying to legislate street checks, which are also called "carding."
     
    Weighill said some of the proposed rules in Ontario aren't practical, including one that would force officers to tell people being questioned that they have the right to walk away.
     
    "We drive up and say, 'ok, guys, how are you tonight? What are you up to? By the way, you don't have to tell us anything,' " said Weighill. "What do you think the response is going to be? They're not going to tell us anything."
     
    He insisted his officers don't target certain ethnic groups when stopping people on the street, but some of the protesters said that's not the case.
     
    Eileen Bear said she was recently on her way to a knitting class when a police officer pulled over and started questioning her.
     
    He asked her what her name was and although she at first tried to assert her rights she said she caved when a second officer got out of the vehicle. Bear said she was then asked to help identify people on a list of names, but she refused and walked away.
     
    "Carding disproportionately targets indigenous people and peoples of colour as well as poor white people," said protester Kota Kimura, who helps organize a group opposed to police violence.
     
    He said he believes officers tend to act off society's prejudices.
     
    "We have to be able to ask people what they're doing," said Weighill. "Otherwise, we might as well just be sitting in the police building at night, and then after you have been victimized, we'll go out and take your report and drive back in again."
     
    The street check report said the force in Saskatoon will put together a policy once the work of the provincial police commission and the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police is done.
     
    But Weighill said given the fact that work has just begun, it could be some time before a policy is put in place.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Liberals Launch First Phase Of Inquiry Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

    Liberals Launch First Phase Of Inquiry Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women
    OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government is kicking off what it calls the first phase of its inquiry into the tragic phenomenon of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

    Liberals Launch First Phase Of Inquiry Into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere
    A Halifax-based astronomer is the envy of his peers after he photographed a rare image in the skies from his balcony Sunday evening.

    Halifax Astronomer Catches Rare Image Of Booster Re-entering Atmosphere

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations
    The Mounties say they are acting on information that resulted in three suspensions in early November.

    Four Mounties Suspended In New Brunswick Over Discreditable Conduct Allegations

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging
    ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada — Police in Grenada are searching the small Caribbean island for a missing woman from New Brunswick who disappeared while out jogging with her dog.

    Police In Grenada Search For New Brunswick Woman Who Disappeared While Jogging

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase
    Tax experts say if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Ottawa's new top bracket — those earning $200,000 or more — you shouldn't defer any income that you can take this year because you'll pay more if you do.

    High-Income Earners Urged To Make Changes Now To Avoid Income Tax Increase

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
    PARIS — Ontario's Liberal government will spend $20 million to create more public charging stations for electric vehicles.

    Ontario Spends $20 Million To Build Electric Vehicle Charging Stations