Alberta's Police Act scrutinized by justice experts in review

An outstanding warrant for stealing tampons stopped an Edmonton mother threatened by her partner from calling 911 last weekend.

Mark Cherrington with the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights helped the young woman and her toddlers instead.

He said cases like this one show why the province's Police Act needs to give officers more discretion around executing warrants when safety is paramount.

Currently, police who don't execute warrants could be charged under the legislation with neglect of duty.

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"I've dealt with young adults who hadsignificant medical issues, including trauma wounds, who refuse to call 911 and would rather, basically bleed to death because they have a warrant," saidCherrington, who works with youngIndigenous women.

"We have one of the best trained and most highly professional police forces in the world. Police should have the power to exercise that discretion."

The Justice and Solicitor General ministry launched a review of the 31-year-old Police Act last September.

"We know the role of police and the expectations of officers have changed dramatically since the Police Act was introduced more than 30 years ago," wrote government spokespersonAnnaliseKlingbeil.

"We began a thorough engagement process last fall, after hearing from police services, commissions, and municipal stakeholders that a review of the Police Act would help modernize policing in Alberta."

More than 250 stakeholders are participating including groups representing Indigenous and ruralAlbertans, victims of crime, health, social services and law enforcement.

They're tackling arange of topics through surveys and a series of roundtables, the most recent which took place Monday.

The roles of community organizations in crime prevention, funding for police services and processes for handling complaints from the public are all up for discussion.

Time limits on Police Act investigations

Edmonton Police Association president Sgt. Mike Elliott said updated legislation needs to expedite the investigation of officers under the Police Act.

He wants to see time limits such as those imposed by the Supreme Court in the so-called Jordan decision in 2016to ensure the criminally accused are tried within areasonable time frame. Investigations under the Police Act have no time limit and candrag on for years, said Elliott.

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"Because of that a member may not be able to transfer to a new position, that member may be under conditions that they can't put in for promotion, they cannot apply for a new position, they cannot work overtime," said Elliott.

Elliott also called for new rulesaround theselection of the presiding officer at adisciplinary hearing. That person iscurrently chosen by the police chief. Elliot said the selection should be made from an independent pool instead.

"I think it would be very concerning that your best friend, or somebody that you go to lunch with is going to hear out the facts and they've got to make a decision upon you," said Elliott.

"That creates bias or perception of bias not only amongst police officers, but amongst the public as well who attend these open hearings."

It's not clear what would become of the review if the provincial government changes this spring.

"These engagement sessions are continuing this month, and if re-elected, Rachel Notley's government would continue this important work to modernize policing in Alberta," said Klingbeil.

andrea.huncar@cbc.ca
@andreahuncar