The Government of Alberta's Bill 6: Police Amendment Act will stack the deck of police commission with political appointments. This will open the door to politicized and partisan interference in the civilian oversight of Calgary's police service.
The City of Calgary funds the Calgary Police Service to the tune of $453 million a year.
Civilian oversight of the Calgary Police Service is provided by the Calgary Police Commission, made up of ten volunteer civilians and two Councillors.
Danielle Smith and the UCP want to appoint up to half of the members of Calgary Police Commission. This would increase the potential for partisan interference in civilian police oversight of Calgary's police service.
A core principle for oversight of policing is that the police service must operate in the absence of political influence.
The political independence of police is already in question: political interference in policing is already a concern.
- MLA Shannon Phillips was monitored, photographed and her personal information accessed by members of the Lethbridge Police Service.
- Allegations have been made that members of the Ontario Provincial Police Police leaked operational details to Ottawa occupiers.
The need for Police Act reform is real, and we should listen to the experts - not use this as a power grab.