POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 37 Integrated policing, which in recent memory has existed as a cop-talk buzz word, could soon become a reality for police services. Staff Sgt. Ross Landry of the Pictou County RCMP said the concept of integrated policing has been discussed by local services before, it’s just never been given a clear form. It’s an increased co-operation between all police services, from municipal to international. “We want to be able to take a lead role in providing a more effective way of policing the community,” Landry said. “One of the goals here is to help stimulate discussion on how to work as a unified body to bring about positive changes,” he said. “The topic was at the forefront of discussion during the Nova Scotia Association of Police Chiefs and Nova Scotia Police Boards annual convention this week in Pictou. Lorne Smith, New Glasgow’s chief, said because Pictou County’s police forces work in such close proximity, there has always been an element of integration in their work. “We’re doing it - we just need to define it,” he said. “Why couldn’t the Trenton Police help the RCMP on a call to Pictou Landing, or why couldn’t the RCMP assist us with a call to one of our bars?” Smith asked. Landry agrees. “When you make a call to a police station, you want a cop,” he said. Now, the challenge is to get the ideas presented in the discussion into the ears of both policy makers and the public. “The provincial department of justice is facilitating a brainstorming session for us on this issue, and we want to be on the ground floor,” Smith said. Julian Fantino, the convention’s keynote speaker, said integration is a sharing of service rather than an amalgamation. Fantino served as Toronto’s chief of police 2000-2005. “We want the best possible service to the public, on a united front, while still maintaining that intimate local service. One size does not fit all in this case,” he said. Looking at the big picture, he said integrated policing could be a means to help forces deal with common issues such as organized crime or terrorism. “We’re all concerned about the same things,” Fantino said. In the News... Redefining police team work Integrated policing was at the forefront of discussion in Pictou recently during a convention of Nova Scotia police chiefs and police boards. From the left: New Glasgow Police Chief Lorne Smith; Chief Constable Lorne Zapotichney, New Westminister, B.C.; President of the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association Tom Bennett; and the former chief of police for Toronto, Julian Fantino. As originally published By Sean Kelly, The Evening News
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==