P.G. Detachment Involved in Pilot Project
By 250 News
Thursday, April 02, 2009 03:58 AM
Prince George, B.C.- The RCMP detachment in Prince George is one of 14 pilot sites for a new operational reporting system.
The Subject Behaviour Officer Response reporting, is designed to capture important details whenever an officer uses force, whether that be physical, the use of a baton, pepper spray or a taser. “The form is set out in sections with the idea of prompting as much detail as possible” says Constable Gary Godwin. The form sets out things like previous knowledge about a suspect, weather and ground conditions, visibility and the sequence of events.
Constable Godwin says the form will create a better picture of what was happening at the time of the incident. “The bottom line is, some officers take great notes, some do not, and this will be a real benefit.”
Cst. Godwin says this new system was in the works long before the Robert Dziekanski incident which saw four RCMP officers attend to an incident at the Vancouver Airport. Within seconds, Diekanski had been tasered 5 times and died at the scene. The Braidwood Inquiry into that tragedy has heard testimony from the four officers, and the testimony has been consistent in being inconsistent with a video of the event shot by a bystander. Constable Godwin says had this kind of form been in use at the time, precious details would have been put to paper.
While all officers know their investigations will result in paperwork, this new form is not designed to burden the officer. “If any kind of force is used in an incident, the notebook is put away and this form will be used” says Godwin.
The form can also provide statistical information on use of force.
It is expected the pilot project will last about a year, then be analyzed before being introduced to all RCMP detachments in the country.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Posted by: He speaks on April 2 2009 8:46 AM