Pubdate: Mon, 16 Dec 2013
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/letters.html
Website: http://www.montrealgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Jim Bronskill

TICKETING SCHEME COULD SAVE POLICE CASH

OTTAWA - Police would have the option of ticketing people for a range 
of minor offences - instead of laying criminal charges - under a plan 
that could yield significant savings for the cash-strapped justice system.

The idea has emerged from discussions fostered by the federal 
government on curbing the rising costs of policing, said Timothy 
Smith, a spokesman for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Under the proposal, officers would have the option of ticketing 
people for offences such as causing a disturbance, public nudity, 
falsifying an employment record, soliciting prostitution, vagrancy or 
trespassing.

It builds on a resolution the chiefs of police passed last August 
that would give officers the discretion to issue a ticket under the 
Contraventions Act for possession of a small amount of cannabis.

"This is all part of the economics of policing initiative and the 
discussion that's taking place to find ways in which we can more 
efficiently handle these types of issues," Smith said in an 
interview. "In the case of some of these other offences, should they 
be criminally charged or would a ticket be a better enforcement 
option for all those involved within the judicial system and 
policing? That's the kind of thinking that's going on."

Officials say the cost of policing is steadily rising - hitting more 
than $12 billion in 2010 - even though the crime rate is falling. 
Among the reasons: increases in police officer salaries, higher costs 
for equipment and fuel and new challenges such as dealing with people 
who have mental health issues.

Participants are looking for efficiencies within police services, new 
models of community safety and possible savings within the broader 
justice system. Giving someone a ticket for a relatively minor 
offence may be "more appropriate" than sending them to criminal 
court, a process that "clogs the system up," said Mark Mander, police 
chief in Kentville, N.S.

Two of his officers recently spent a full day in court and never 
ended up testifying, said Mander, head of the police chiefs' drug 
abuse committee. He sees the ticketing option as another tool for police.

"But we also want to make sure that the police officers retain the 
right to lay the formal charge as well - so they still need that 
discretionary option, depending on the circumstances."

In late August, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the government was 
looking very carefully at the notion of a ticketing proposal for a 
small amount of marijuana.

The police chiefs say they've heard nothing yet.

However, last month, ministers responsible for justice and public 
safety from across Canada approved a common agenda to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of policing.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom