Transcript Policing low population density areas in Canada

Policing low population
density areas in Canada
Jean-Paul Brodeur
Director, International Centre
for Comparative Criminology
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
INTRODUCTION: OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
1. Background: great differences between sparsely
populated areas in Canada and in Columbia
2. General notions
3. The RCMP and unpopulated areas
4. The present situation
5. Conclusions
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
BACKGROUND
Canada
Columbia
1. Northern territory
2. Freezing temperatures
3. Inhospitable ― equipment
needed
4. No possibility of insurgent
bases
1. Southern territory
2. Warm or temperate climate
3. Survival without heavy
equipment
4. Possibility of insurgent
bases
Conclusion: great difficulty of applying
Canadian police experience to Columbia
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
GENERAL NOTIONS: MODELS OF POLICING
1. Community mediation
2. Collective community enforcement
3. The military (Antiquity ― Middle Ages)
4. The police (1692, 1829)
5. Delinquent orders (mafia, warlords, etc.)
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
GENERAL NOTIONS: HISTORY OF POLICING
1. 1692: initial birth in France: general governance
2. 1829: re-invention in England: crime prevention
3. Urban setting: the policing of strangers
4. Police alternative to military
Conclusion: idea of rural policing
problematic in itself (almost no research)
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
GENERAL NOTIONS: THE POLICE AND THE ARMY
Police
Army
1. Ethos: minimal force
2. Target: delinquent citizens
3. Part of civil society (same
rules)
4. High accountability
1. Ethos: overwhelming force
2. Target: enemies of the state
3. Outside civil society (own
rules)
4. Low accountability
Conclusion: militarized police vs. military
police (police ethos + military firepower)
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
GENERAL NOTIONS: CONDITIONS FOR POLICING
1. Pacification
2. Basis in communities
3. Legitimacy
4. Positive symbolism
5. Primacy of authority over use of force
6. Authority: security through visibility
7. Use of force: security through coercive action
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: CANADIAN GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: ITS HISTORY
1. Created in 1873, following acquisition of Rupert
Land (6,000,000 square km)
2. Two detachments of 300 men: military organisation
3. Mission: ensuring peaceful colonization of Canadian
West
4. Major achievement: soft control of aboriginal tribes
(1873-1879)
5. Major achievement (2): policing the Yukon gold rush
(1894-1898) ― RCMP as emergency service
6. Birth of RCMP myth
7. Reputation for incorruptibility
8. 1920: RCMP becomes Canada’s national police,
except in Ontario and Quebec
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: DATA ON UNPOPULATED AREAS
1. Northwest Territories
A. 1,136,106 km2
B. Population: 42,944 / 0.06 person/km2
C. GDP per capita: 94,953$
2. Nunavut
A. 2,093,190 km2
B. Population: 30,245 / 0.01 person/km2
C. GDP per capita: 36,400$
3. Columbia
A. 1,138,810 km2
B. Population: 43,593,035 / 38.27 person/km2
C. GDP per capita: 7,900$
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: MANDATE
1. Structure of policing in Canada
2. Contract policing
3. Community policing
Social and preventive policing
•Law
To enforcement
provide healthy alternatives, especially for youth
Towork
provide
policing
in a culturally
•A.to
together
withservices
community
authorities and
appropriate manner
agencies
Tobe
maintain
public
andwith
security
•B.to
involved
in thesafety
schools
a view to
educating children about healthy ways to live
• to make regular, personal contact with as many
community members as possible
• to engage in the life of the community
• to work with the community regarding public
awareness and crime prevention
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: CRIME IN UNPOPULATED AREAS
Offence
Vandalism
Theft/attempted theft of
personal/household property
% of Victimizations
(n = 175)
29 %
22 %
Motor vehicle (including snow
machine) theft
Break and enter
7%
13 %
Robbery
Assault
Sexual assault
6%
15 %
8%
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: AREAS OF DISSATISFACTION
Area of dissatisfaction
Not dealing enough with drug/alcohol issues
Lack of police presence/visibility
Response time too slow/do not come when called
Youth crime problems/too lax with young offenders
Could not get help from RCMP when needed
Seem unwilling to investigate
Don’t help with things that they should help with
%(n = 330)
17 %
13 %
13 %
11 %
8%
8%
Go out of their way to deal with minor offences
8%
6%
Demeanour of officers less than respectful/uncaring
6%
Not enough resources/manpower
5%
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THE RCMP: POLICE RESPONSE
Police response
Yes No
Listen carefully to you
43
13
Clearly explain what actions they would take
28
19
Offer any sort of assistance to you
28
25
Offer any suggestions to prevent repeat of
the crime
Refer you to Victims Services
18
9
30
Discuss the possibility of referring your case
to your Community Justice Committee
6
34
23
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
CONCLUSIONS: THE COLUMBIAN SITUATION
1. Uncertain pacification
2. War against drugs
3. Neglect of other duties of protection
4. Unpopularity of measures (war against drugs)
5. External influence
6. Inconsistency
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
CONCLUSIONS: LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
1. Columbian rural territories are “rural” just in name (high
violence, low-intensity conflict)
2. Traditional models of rural policing do not generally
apply
3. Managing the transition from the military to the police
requires preconditions, in addition to pacification:
A. common will of the police and the military
B. consistency of action
C. dedication to the public’s interest
D. transparency (covert agenda, corruption)
E. legitimacy
F. trust
G.acceptance
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
Policing low population
density areas in Canada
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
MUCHAS GRACIAS