Ontario’s Ombudsman calls for SIU overhaul (3)
Posted on 30 September 2008 by Jack
TORONTO — Ontario’s Ombudsman is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the civilian agency that oversees the province’s police to dispel its image as a “toothless tiger” that has “lost its way.” The Special Investigations Unit lacks the rigour to ensure that police follow the rules, Ombudsman André Marin says in a report released Tuesday. The 121-page report follows an investigation launched by his office in June, 2007, following complaints that the SIU has a pro-police bias. Mr. Marin’s office found plenty of evidence to back up those complaints.
He notes that the SIU boasts on its website and in its glossy annual report that the agency holds police officers to the same law as every other citizen. But he said he has concluded that these claims “are just empty rhetoric and puffery by an organization that has lost its way.”
He said new legislation is needed to help strengthen the agency as well as internal changes to dispel public perception that the SIU has a pro-police bias.
“It is clear that something must be done to dispel the SIU’s image as a toothless tiger and muzzled watchdog if it is to earn the respect of police officials as well as the public at large,” he said.
Related: Read the report
Note: I could say a lot here but I’m going to keep my big trap shut…for now.
Updated Note: I just read through the first 15 para’s and I needn’t go further. Nowhere did I read that police have the right to silence like anyone else in our society and this is the entire problem with the SIU argument. Ontario law requires a police officer to co-operate…make notes and file reports contrary to our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Your friendly police officer is a second class citizen who does not have the rights that you enjoy. If he (or she) doesn’t comply they can be suspended and fired.
The Ombudsman moans and groans about non-co-operation by police. Well, he’s never been on the beat has he? He sleeps safe and sound in his bed while lesser beings protect him during the night doesn’t he? And he is well paid to criticize something of which he knows nothing. Am I correct or not?
This report is garbage foisted off on the motoring public and to be clear — if the public wants to go that route and accepts his recommendations, the next time they are in trouble they can call a boy scout.
FIDO applies here — BIG TIME.
Frankly, my advice to serving Ontario officers is to clam up, make no notes and file no reports if there is any hint of trouble. In other words — refuse to play the game these people want you to play. Just call your lawyer.
The reason is simple – defence lawyers and wimpy courts (plus mandatory disclosure) will screw a cop everytime if they get the chance for political reasons. Actually, it’s not quite that bad yet but it’s heading that way and I don’t like it.
The bottom line — public safety is at risk because no working cop I know is going to play this game. Not one.
The smart ones are simply going to take the long way round and break no speed limits getting there. If they happen on something they will not see it and drive on. Not exactly what they believe in but it’s called survival in a bad political climate.
Matter of fact I got a letter from the OPPA the other day with five “give out cards” that I could hand to people I recommend for consideration to join the OPP. I know quite a few people I think would make fine officers. “So” what did I do with that letter and enclosures?
I shredded everything.
I would not under any circumstances recommend that any young person become a cop in the present day and age.
“Been There — Done That!”
And am I “pissed off”?
“You betcha.”
Marin should have sent this report back to his “investigators” (they probably all vote NDP) and told them to do it again and get it right the next time.
Popularity: 24% [?]
September 30th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
“Note: I could say a lot here but I’m going to keep my big trap shut…for now.”
Gee, I wonder what you’re alluding to Jack? Ha…you’ve got me laughing cause I believe I know. Blimey, in just one afternoon you’ve got me chuckling and Cynapse almost gave me a coronary (nitroglycerin rocks!) by agreeing with something I said. This has been what I would call a good day….now if I could just find the gall darn bottle opener? Thanks guys…..assuming Cynapse is a ‘guy’ because you never know these days.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Read on my friend. You will howl.
September 30th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I’m sure we’ve discussed the SIU and similar efforts before, Jack. The bottom line is this: there are people who will never be satisfied regardless what police do or say. They scream and claim to be victims of imagined police abuse/oppression when nothing could be further from the truth… and SIU or whatever group ends up investigating end up being accused of being “part of the problem” no matter how imaginary the problem might be. Example?
I got called to an “accident scene” where a cyclist was supposedly cut off by a car which turned out of a side street in front of him. The cyclist was riding at night with no reflectors or headlamp. The car did not hit him. He fell down after losing his balance while shaking his fist at the car and screaming obscenities. He wasn’t seriously injured but his damaged ego required action so he called the police.
The cyclist got a partial plate. As luck would have it, I found the vehicle and the driver a few blocks away. I asked him a few questions and ascertained that he had, indeed, passed through the intersection in question but hadn’t seen or heard anything.
When I spoke to the cyclist later, he wanted the driver charged with failing to yield. I refused to do so and the cyclist said he would “have my badge” since he, after all, paid taxes. Yawn.
A few days later, the Sgt called me to ask what happened. I said read the file. He was surprised there was a file since the complainant had told him that I refused to take his complaint.
A couple days later, I got a call from ICBC (automobile insurance company) adjuster, saying the cyclist had filed an injury claim. In an unusually frank discussion, the adjuster mentioned the cyclist had filed similar claims before and was paid out. I added that factoid to the file.
After a while, the Sgt called me in and asked if I would give a statement. I asked what I was being accused of. He said the cyclist wanted me to write a ticket against the driver and, if I agreed to do so, he would “informally resolve” the complaint.
I refused to give a statement and said under no circumstances would I write a ticket… period…
A few days later, the Sgt called me in and asked if I would consider apologizing the cyclist for being unsympathetic to his situation and if I would do so, the complaint could be resolved informally.
I told the Sgt that I wasn’t interested and if the Sgt apologized on my behalf, I would insist on the complaint going formal all the way since my judgement and integrity was being called into question. The Sgt wasn’t happy since this meant he couldn’t “slam-dunk” the matter easily. After a while, I received notice that the complaint against me was concluded as unfounded.
My point is I did nothing wrong but the cyclist was determined to find fault, first with the driver and then with me. It wouldn’t matter which investigative body looked into the matter; he would not and could not be satisfied.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
Okay, I’m getting flashbacks….and not so pleasant ones at that. I hook up with some of the ‘boys’ occasionally for coffee. With but a few exceptions (the young as of yet undamaged) they are all literally counting the days until retirement. These guys don’t say they’re got a year and a half to go, they rhyme off the exact number of days. About 2 weeks ago I asked a former colleague, who I knew as a dependable dedicated police officer, why he couldn’t wait to retire. His response? It’s much worse than when you retired he said, now I spend the vast majority of my time just covering my ass until I can retire. In other words a complete lack of support. Worse than when I worked? I have my doubts. Instead I believe that little has changed other than the fact this officer and others like him now has those extra years under his belt that I had when I finally said ENOUGH! Mac’s story is but one of a countless others that police officers face day after day because of gutless selfish supervisors. Sadly, just like like crap, far too many continue to rise to the top.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I know I’m not the only one that feels this way but it never hurts to bring it up again so that the public knows how we feel.
I know a fine young officer that I brought into the police service and he was a “tryout” for Sergeant a few years later. The OPP sent him to a detachment nearby and put him in charge of a shift.
About three months later he returned to Tillsonburg and when I asked him what happened he told me he couldn’t stand the bullshit. He was happier where he was.
That’s what is happening. Fine officers are not trying for promotion because they know that it is an uphill battle and “why bother”.
As for Mac, he has just been promoted (his entire life upset as he was forced to move) and he owes me a beer because I’ve been watching and I approve. He’s the exception that breaks the rule and as I argued many years ago with another longtime “copper”…if good officers don’t try for promotion nothing will ever change.
Mac understands that and I approve of what he is doing.
I encourage more to try.
Fantino is the model I recommend.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Thanks, Jack. I intend to make good on that beer. Google Maps tells me Tillsonburg is just over 6 hours drive… and I have friends up in the Bruce Peninsula who I haven’t seen for years, so a round-about trip is in order!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I agree. Let me know when you’re in the area. My home is open to you and your family and if that doesn’t work I’ll meet you somewhere.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I’ll give you ample warning. I’ve got a few trips planned. For instance, in a couple of weeks I will be driving to the Maritimes to join my family in celebrating my parent’s 50th anniversary!
November 16th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Ta all this is just great, but when your a working man trying to get through in life poaying your taxes, doing what you need to do. Ya, peoplemakes mistakes, civilians and cops are no different in that account. Thenalong comes a bitter cop, bound bent and determinied to make your life hell and abuse you, theres the civil watchdog group, morons. So, its time to go to the bog newspapaers and perhaps parliament hill. Dont think for a second Canadians think of our police as sokmthing good, thay have not for a long long time. I think tazzering people for no reasons, and killing them after drinken srpees did that for you. Now they are closing entrie detachments becasue of criminal police behavior. Where is it you want your respect to come from? You slapped a coffee out of the hand of a 28 year veteran nures becasue you didnt like a question? You did this all to yourselves. This story is just getting started.