Blue Line Magazine January 2012
Canada's Best Dressed Police Vehicle 2012
Since 2005 Blue Line Magazine has recognized creativity, visibility and community identity in police vehicle design through our annual best dressed police vehicles contest.
We had no idea how things would evolve when we first began – from simple graphics on white cars to bold designs and highly reflective graphics on distinct body colours. We don’t just reward innovative designs. We also recognize that marked vehicles are a police service’s calling cards to the community; they must be highly visible and instantly recognizable for the safety of the officers within them and the citizens around them.
Not that many years ago, police vehicles came in only one colour, generally chosen more for its future resale value to taxi cab owners than its visibility. At that time, graphics had to carry the design entirely and we saw some very innovative and clever layouts on a base white car.
Not for court to second-guess police entry
In the ordinary course of events, police officers are required to make an announcement before forcing entry into a dwelling house. This is accomplished by giving “(i) notice of presence by knocking or ringing the doorbell; (ii) notice of authority, by identifying themselves as law enforcement officers and (iii) notice of purpose, by stating the lawful reason for entry.” [reference omitted, at para 23]
However, the police may depart from “the knock and announce rule in circumstances where they have reasonable grounds to be concerned about their safety, the safety of others, or the destruction of evidence.”
When challenged, however, the police must explain why they thought it was necessary to do so.
Working plan 'A' while preparing for plan 'B'
Congratulations to new RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson. His appointment from within the ranks is a coming of age for this much challenged police force. Let’s hope the reigning government supports him in making the necessary changes outlined in the Brown Report of 2007 – but I am reminded of the old saying that life is really all about how you handle plan ‘B.’