Policing low population density areas in Canada Policing low population density areas in Canada Jean-Paul Brodeur Director, International Centre for Comparative

Policing low populationdensity areas in CanadaPolicing low populationdensity areas in Canada

Jean-Paul Brodeur

Director, International Centrefor Comparative Criminology


INTRODUCTION: OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

1. Background: great differences between sparsely populated areas in Canada and in Columbia

2. General notions3. The RCMP and unpopulated areas4. The present situation5. Conclusions


BACKGROUND

Canada

1. Northern territory2. Freezing temperatures3. Inhospitable ― equipment

needed4. No possibility of insurgent

bases

Columbia

1. Southern territory2. Warm or temperate climate3. Survival without heavy

equipment4. Possibility of insurgent

bases

Conclusion: great difficulty of applying Canadian police experience to Columbia


GENERAL NOTIONS: MODELS OF POLICING

1. Community mediation2. Collective community enforcement3. The military (Antiquity ― Middle Ages)4. The police (1692, 1829)5. Delinquent orders (mafia, warlords, etc.)


GENERAL NOTIONS: HISTORY OF POLICING

1. 1692: initial birth in France: general governance2. 1829: re-invention in England: crime prevention3. Urban setting: the policing of strangers4. Police alternative to military

Conclusion: idea of rural policing problematic in itself (almost no research)


GENERAL NOTIONS: THE POLICE AND THE ARMY

Police

1. Ethos: minimal force2. Target: delinquent citizens3. Part of civil society (same

rules)4. High accountability

Army

1. Ethos: overwhelming force2. Target: enemies of the state3. Outside civil society (own

rules)4. Low accountability

Conclusion: militarized police vs. military police (police ethos + military firepower)


GENERAL NOTIONS: CONDITIONS FOR POLICING

1. Pacification2. Basis in communities3. Legitimacy4. Positive symbolism5. Primacy of authority over use of force6. Authority: security through visibility7. Use of force: security through coercive action


THE RCMP: CANADIAN GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY


1. Created in 1873, following acquisition of Rupert Land (6,000,000 square km)

2. Two detachments of 300 men: military organisation3. Mission: ensuring peaceful colonization of Canadian

West4. Major achievement: soft control of aboriginal tribes

(1873-1879)5. Major achievement (2): policing the Yukon gold rush

(1894-1898) ― RCMP as emergency service6. Birth of RCMP myth7. Reputation for incorruptibility8. 1920: RCMP becomes Canada’s national police,

except in Ontario and Quebec

THE RCMP: ITS HISTORY


1. Northwest TerritoriesA. 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. ColumbiaA. 1,138,810 km2 B. Population: 43,593,035 / 38.27 person/km2 C.GDP per capita: 7,900$

THE RCMP: DATA ON UNPOPULATED AREAS


1. Structure of policing in Canada2. Contract policing3. Community policing

THE RCMP: MANDATE

Law enforcementA. To provide policing services in a culturally

appropriate mannerB. To maintain public safety and security

Social and preventive policing• To provide healthy alternatives, especially for youth• to work together with community authorities and

agencies• to be involved in the schools with 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


THE RCMP: CRIME IN UNPOPULATED AREAS

Offence % of Victimizations(n = 175)

Vandalism 29 %

Theft/attempted theft of personal/household property

22 %

Motor vehicle (including snow machine) theft

7 %

Break and enter 13 %

Robbery 6 %

Assault 15 %

Sexual assault 8 %


THE RCMP: AREAS OF DISSATISFACTION

Area of dissatisfaction %(n = 330)Not dealing enough with drug/alcohol issues 17 %Lack of police presence/visibility 13 %Response time too slow/do not come when called 13 %Youth crime problems/too lax with young offenders 11 %Could not get help from RCMP when needed 8 %Seem unwilling to investigate 8 %Don’t help with things that they should help with 8 %Go out of their way to deal with minor offences 6 %Demeanour of officers less than respectful/uncaring 6 %Not enough resources/manpower 5 %


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

18 23

Refer you to Victims Services 9 30

Discuss the possibility of referring your caseto your Community Justice Committee

6 34


CONCLUSIONS: THE COLUMBIAN SITUATION

1. Uncertain pacification2. War against drugs3. Neglect of other duties of protection4. Unpopularity of measures (war against drugs)5. External influence6. Inconsistency


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 militaryB. consistency of actionC.dedication to the public’s interestD. transparency (covert agenda, corruption)E. legitimacyF. trustG.acceptance


THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTIONMUCHAS GRACIAS


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Policing low population density areas in Canada Policing low population density areas in Canada Jean-Paul Brodeur Director, International Centre for Comparative