Blue Line Magazine March 2011
Believing in the messenger
“I need to know who is driving scout car 4110,” the district superintendent told me. I asked why. “Because I constantly hear officers asking for his advice on the radio – even patrol sergeants,” he scowled. “Obviously I have been promoting the wrong people,” he mumbled in a lower voice.
Only call signs are used on the radio, the superintendent pointed out, but obviously everyone knows him. “That man is a born leader and I want to know who he is.”
Inspiring youth to give
A group of Toronto area high school students arrive at 12 division headquarters in cruisers, not for the proverbial slap on the wrist but rather a needle in their arm. It was all part of a partnership between the Toronto Police Service, students and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) to save lives one pint of blood at a time.
The initiative was the brainchild of 12 Division administrative co-ordinator Sandra McQuade. A long-time blood donor, McQuade thought it would be natural for school resource officers to encourage eligible students to donate blood at the station. The response was overwhelming, said 12 division S/Insp Dave McCormack. “The (students) were excited and taking a great deal of pride in what they were doing.” McCormack challenged school resource officers at four other divisions to inspire eligible students to donate blood. They already had a good rapport with the students because they were in the school every day, explained McCormack, so “It just made sense.” Initially, CBS community development co-ordinator Len Rosen was a little hesitant about the idea because “It’s not the protocol we usually follow when we do mobile blood donations.” The Bloodmobile usually operates with the knowledge of how many people are donating in advance, he said. That practice had to be waived in this case. CBS launched its new mobile clinic, a climate controlled tractor trailer that can be set-up curbside or in a parking lot, in Sept. 2010. One of its perks is that it attracts more first-time donors because it can reach new neighbourhoods, Rosen said.
Counsel right not re-triggered by confession video
Playing a video clip from an undercover sting to an arrestee did not re-trigger the right to counsel, nor was it a new (non-routine) procedure such that a further consultation with a lawyer was required.
In R. v. Ashmore, 2011 BCCA 18 police obtained a wiretap authorization and began an undercover operation following a murder. An undercover officer befriended Ashmore in a “Mr. Big” style operation. Ashmore told him how he strangled the victim, killing him at the request of the victim’s common law spouse.