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Civilian watchdog, Slave Lake
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May 17, 2011
Civilian watchdog
David MacAlister, SFU associate professor of criminology and director of SFU’s Institute for Studies in Criminal Justice Policy, is keen to hear who will head up the provincial government’s new civilian watchdog. Commenting on the creation of the agency to investigate police incidents in B.C., MacAlister says whoever is appointed its leader “will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the culture of the new organization. I am also curious to see whether the agency will employ genuine civilian investigators or recently retired police officers. If it’s the latter, it may do little to allay fears that the organization won’t be zealous in pursuing justice in cases involving alleged police misconduct.”
David MacAlister, 778.782.3019, dmacalis@sfu.ca
Rick Parent, an SFU assistant professor of criminology and expert on police ethics, believes the agency’s creation is “a good thing for both the police and the public. The majority of police incidents are justified, however, when examining controversial issues that include a police shooting or a death involving the police it is essential that an unbiased and objective examination occur. The public deserves an independent review of police conduct involving death, serious injuries or controversial matters. The police equally require a process that will either justify their actions or hold them accountable."
Rick Parent, 778.782.8418, rparent@sfu.ca (email best)
Fire devastates community
Provincial and firefighting officials are still surveying the aftermath of a fire that has destroyed half of Slave Lake, Alta., Many residents of the devastated community are waiting to see what is left of their homes after fire tore through the town over the weekend. SFU communication associate professor Peter Anderson specializes in disaster emergency communication and can discuss what authorities are attempting to do during this crisis.
Peter Anderson, 778.782.4921, anderson@sfu.ca
David MacAlister, SFU associate professor of criminology and director of SFU’s Institute for Studies in Criminal Justice Policy, is keen to hear who will head up the provincial government’s new civilian watchdog. Commenting on the creation of the agency to investigate police incidents in B.C., MacAlister says whoever is appointed its leader “will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the culture of the new organization. I am also curious to see whether the agency will employ genuine civilian investigators or recently retired police officers. If it’s the latter, it may do little to allay fears that the organization won’t be zealous in pursuing justice in cases involving alleged police misconduct.”
David MacAlister, 778.782.3019, dmacalis@sfu.ca
Rick Parent, an SFU assistant professor of criminology and expert on police ethics, believes the agency’s creation is “a good thing for both the police and the public. The majority of police incidents are justified, however, when examining controversial issues that include a police shooting or a death involving the police it is essential that an unbiased and objective examination occur. The public deserves an independent review of police conduct involving death, serious injuries or controversial matters. The police equally require a process that will either justify their actions or hold them accountable."
Rick Parent, 778.782.8418, rparent@sfu.ca (email best)
Fire devastates community
Provincial and firefighting officials are still surveying the aftermath of a fire that has destroyed half of Slave Lake, Alta., Many residents of the devastated community are waiting to see what is left of their homes after fire tore through the town over the weekend. SFU communication associate professor Peter Anderson specializes in disaster emergency communication and can discuss what authorities are attempting to do during this crisis.
Peter Anderson, 778.782.4921, anderson@sfu.ca