GREATER CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF REGIONAL POLICE IS OVERDUE

It's about time someone looked into the sham and farce of civilian police boards in this province. Today's Waterloo Region Record has this article "Police boards should play more active role in policing, lawyer says". The lawyer is Ryan Teschner who was lead counsel in an inquiry into the 2010 Toronto G20 Summit. Retired Justice John Morden conducted an independent civilian review into police conduct at the Toronto G20 Summit. Among his 38 recommendations were interpretations of the Police Act pertaining to civilian police boards throughout Ontario. Apparently Justice Morden feels that police boards have significantly greater authority than they've ever exercised in this province. Traditionally they set basic policy and budgets and no more. Justice Morden believes that they have the legislated authority and responsibility to ask operational questions to ensure that their policies are being followed.

Interestingly it appears as if our local police board is less enthusiastic about the Morden Report. Board Chair and regional councillor Tom Galloway called the report "controversial". Further Regional Chair Ken Seiling suggested that the board's powers are a grey area and that board members who overstep their authority face penalties. REALLY! And who exactly in the past has made the determination that board members have overstepped their authority? In the light of the Morden Report did they indeed overstep or were they merely trying to exercise their legitimate and legislated responsibility and authority?

I am seeing some interesting parallels here. Former school board Trustee (WRDSB) Uwe Kreutshman has stated on a Cambridge website that the school board attempted to discipline and penalize him for allegedly passing on confidential information. Without any legislated mandate, staff at the board introduced a No Voice, No Vote penalty upon him. Mr. Kreutshman sought legal advice which essentially blew the board's position out of the water. It certainly appears to me that both our local police board and others have desperately needed members with the no nonsense, no bullshit attitude of Mr. Kreutsman.

Our local police board requires publicity, transparency and accountability. How long are members appointed for? Who appoints them? What if any are the qualifications required? Are they simply political patronage appointments, no responsibilty or backbone required? The Morden Report may just be the beginning of honest civiliasn oversight of our regional police. This will not be popular with either the police bureaucracy or our local politicians. Too bad.