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Blue Line at 35: Talking past and progress with chiefs nationwide

The year was 1989. Brian Mulroney was the prime minister of Canada. The Canadian Space Agency was created. The Calgary Flames defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals, and Wayne Gretzky became the leading scorer in the NHL’s history.

Out of Toronto, a brand-new Canadian-focused policing magazine appeared in print.

So much has happened since Blue Line Magazine’s inception. To celebrate our 35^th anniversary, we spoke with members of police leadership across Canada to learn about the most significant changes that impacted police over the last 35 years and where we might be headed next.

A life in public safety

Chief Danny Smyth of the Winnipeg Police Service never expected to become a police officers, despite his father’s career in law enforcement. However, a Human Rights Complaint in the mid-1980s led to changes in height and weight restrictions for police officers, which gave Smyth, who stands at 5’7”, the opportunity he didn’t think he’d ever get.

Similarly, Chief Fady Dagher of the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) never envisioned a career in law enforcement until he accompanied an officer on patrol one day. He fell in love with the profession that protects and serves the community. He didn’t share his new career aspirations with his father, a business owner in the Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, until he’d already done it, fearing that his father would have disapproved.

“I like that Blue Line can tap me on the shoulder by coming to me via email or through podcasts and other digital platforms. It’s a must-read by senior officers and it permeates throughout all ranks.” – Chief Danny Smyth, Winnipeg Police Service

Deputy Chief Treena MacSween of the London Police Service grew up hearing stories from her father and brother, both in policing, but initially aimed to become a teacher. Her perspective shifted after her sister won a “Be a Chief for a Day” contest, which introduced the family to Christine Silverberg, then the deputy chief—and only female deputy chief—of the Hamilton Police Service. Hearing Silverberg’s journey inspired MacSween to join law enforcement.

Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto Police Service sought after a career in the justice system, but initially thought he would be a lawyer. It was during his university studies that he audited a robbery court case and discovered, through listening to the police officer’s testimony, that his heart lay with policing instead. After finishing his degree, he pursued a career in policing within Toronto—the city he grew up in and lives in to this day.

Chief Cheryl Gervais of the Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) grew up in Iskatewizaagegan #39 First Nation and found that she didn’t have one specific role model. Instead, she found she was pulling different traits from those around her, like her father’s smarts and savviness in social situations, and her mother’s strong work ethic. Gervais first joined the Ontario Provincial Police and then transferred to T3PS to meet her goal of providing a role model to youth within the Treaty Three communities.

Chief Mark Neufeld of the Calgary Police Service grew up in a small, rural Alberta town of 500 people and had initially decided to become a fish and wildlife officer. His path changed after volunteering as an auxiliary member of the RCMP, where he was then encouraged to pursue policing. This led Neufeld to apply as a municipal constable in British Columbia, where he started his career on the streets of Vancouver.

Chief Adam Palmer of the Vancouver Police Department always knew he wanted to be a police officer. No one in his family was in law enforcement, but two family friends were—an RCMP canine handler and a local municipal officer. Palmer loved the idea of having a dynamic, meaningful job that wouldn’t have him sitting in an office every day.

Similarly, Commissioner Mike Duheme of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police felt drawn to service from a young age, debating between military and law enforcement careers. His involvement in sports and militia further solidified his commitment to community service. He wrote his RCMP entrance exam in paint-covered clothing after working for his father’s construction company. He departed Quebec and went off to Depot in Feb. 1987.

Photo credit: James Killeen

“Seeing officers and staff I know being featured in Blue Line throughout the years brings a sense of pride for those people and to be part of this profession. Seeing all the articles featuring Indigenous Policing shows we are, and will continue to be, part of the growth and success of First Nations Policing for decades to come.” – Chief James Killeen, UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service

Chief Julie Chanin of the Oak Bay Police Department was inspired by an RCMP officer’s visit to her school on Vancouver Island, sparking a lasting interest in public safety. Though she first became a dental hygienist after completing her post-secondary schooling, Chanin found her way back to her true passion and joined the RCMP, beginning her career in public safety.

Throughout their journeys, these police leaders discovered their true callings and have found deep fulfillment in their careers, appreciating each day of service to their communities.

A look back

Policing in the late 1980s and early 1990s, described by Neufeld as “simpler” and echoed by Dagher—who noted it was “more black and white”—contrasts today’s more complex operational landscape, which Dagher described as “gray”.

This was a world without social media, texting and smartphones, making the speed of media much slower. Cellphones were bulky and unpopular, leaving payphones as the norm. In-vehicle computers were not standard issue, necessitating handwritten reports on carbon paper.

Duheme recalled training at Depot involved learning to type 18 words a minute on a typewriter. Chanin described her first RCMP posting as a location with unreliable cellphone or radio service.

Smyth recalled the challenge of accessing information in the field; officers were instead required to return to the station for queries of the paper archives. Officers relied on their street-level intuition and thorough notetaking for potential follow-ups.

Officers then carried revolvers and wooden batons, lacking modern tools like tasers, pepper spray, beanbag shotguns or pepper balls. Kevlar vests were only just brought into law enforcement, but they were not made mandatory. Their radios were analog and ran on an unsecured network where members of the public could listen in to what was happening. Crime mapping was done manually with paper maps and colour-coded pins. Officers were given a geographic area to patrol, and more senior officers were on the road to share advice with the younger generation.

Encountering a firearm on the street was a rare occurrence, noted Demkiw. Illegal substances, like cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis, were a problem but were less likely to be fatal than today’s fentanyl, carfentanil or xylazine.

Photo credit: Mark Neufeld

“Blue Line has always been relevant. It’s also been one of the most consistent things throughout my career. Blue Line has events and digital content like podcasts, which means they’re evolving alongside law enforcement. It’s more than a publication—Blue Line connects people in the industry.” – Chief Mark Neufeld, Calgary Police Service

There were significantly fewer women and people from diverse backgrounds in policing. This apparent gender disparity was always in MacSween’s face. Duheme noted that men and women were separated during training at the RCMP’s Depot in Regina and wore different uniforms.

Police visibility in Indigenous communities was limited, and very few policing positions were filled by Indigenous members, shared Gervais.

“Indigenous Policing had, in large part, been contracted out to the RCMP prior to 1991. First Nations Policing came about from the Kanehsatà:ke Resistance, otherwise known as the ‘Mohawk Crisis’ that took place in Quebec in 1990,” said Killeen. This land dispute between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Que., began as plans were revealed to build a golf course on land that was known as “The Pines”, which included an Indigenous burial ground. He continued, “The Oka crisis motivated the development of  Indigenous Policing through the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP) to try to prevent future confrontations.”

At that time, Neufeld also felt a higher level of respect for the policing institution in general.

Despite these differences, a few things have remained the same. Palmer emphasized the ongoing societal challenges of victimization, which is a clear reminder of the importance of policing. He also highlighted the inherent goodness of those in law enforcement and the public’s continuing need for safety. Both Smyth and Demkiw noted that the profession has continuously focused on people, and the interactions with the public have remained unchanged.

Thirty-five years of change

The rise of technology

The new millennium ushered in a technological revolution in Canadian policing. In 2001, police services in British Columbia adopted a new electronic records management system, significantly reducing reliance on paper.

What began as basic two-way radios evolved into in-vehicle computers, transforming officers’ capabilities on patrol. Now, officers can digitally query the records systems, access real-time crime maps and anticipate future crime hotspots. They can also run checks on licence plates and driver’s licences and receive additional information through dispatchers during service calls.

“The vehicles themselves have also been upgraded, recognizing that some officers may be in the cruiser for 10 to 12 hours straight,” said MacSween.

Advancements in technology have equipped police with an array of tools, including global positioning systems (GPS), body-worn cameras, laptops, drones, encrypted radios, Narcan, and CPR masks.

“This new technology creates transparency. However, it also creates a situation where officers feel everything they are doing is being scrutinized, and they are sometimes apprehensive about engaging with the public in the same manner that they used to,” shared Killeen.

Photo credit: Myron Demkiw

“Blue Line Magazine is something that I see frequently. I look at the headlines and stories being covered because there’s always an opportunity to learn something. The information shared around best practices and other things going on in policing is something that we always look to learn from, and Blue Line provides an avenue of engagement like that.” – Chief Myron Demkiw, Toronto Police Service

Police-issued firearms shifted away from revolvers to automatic pistols with red dot sights and flashlights.

Smartphones have also had a significant impact on policing and the sharing of information. Police services across Canada have begun to switch to electronic notetaking, but Smyth doesn’t believe it will stop there. In the not-too-distant future, he foresees being able to dispatch through the smartphone, query into service mainframes and records management systems, take recorded statements and videos, and capture evidence through photography.

“When cell phones were created, they were meant to be used as phones. Now, you have a mini computer in your hands,” said Duheme.

These technological advancements have also transformed investigative practices. Traditional face-to-face interactions for resolving incidents have been supplemented by the need to obtain production orders for evidence retrieval across multiple digital platforms.

Neufeld highlighted challenges in adapting to the new online space, particularly in combating crimes like human trafficking and cybercrimes on the dark web. Chanin also acknowledged the complexities introduced by technology, which have required police to acquire expertise across various technological domains to combat modern crimes effectively.

Chanin shared that she believes “Technology is a double-edged sword. Though it’s extremely hard to keep up with, technology has also made the police more accessible and more transparent.”

The Charter and case law

Since the signing of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (“Charter”) in 1982, there has been a notable shift in community expectations regarding public-police interactions. Alongside this, significant advancements in the form of new case law have emerged to guide officers in carrying out their duties.

One pivotal case, R. v. Stinchcombe (1991), altered procedures concerning disclosure to the defence. Following the decision on this case, any notes or reports pertaining to an arrest or prosecution needed to be given to the defence team well in advance of the trial. “That seems reasonable nowadays, but before that case, the defence would only learn of our notes’ contents while already in the courtroom,” said Smyth. Failure to comply could ultimately result in charges being stayed or evidence being excluded.

Photo credit: Adam Palmer

“I think it’s incredible that we have a Canadian-focused policing magazine. I always make sure to read Blue Line and disseminate the magazines down through the ranks. I like reading about what’s happening in other provinces to draw parallels to what we’re doing or find best practices for something new. It’s also a great way to stay in touch with our peers across the country.” – Chief Adam Palmer, Vancouver Police Department

R. v. Feeney (1997) addressed officer entry into residences without a search warrant. Prior to this case, the law allowed entry when searching for a wanted individual. Following Feeney, officers must obtain a warrant before entering any residence for a search.

In R. v. Grant (2009), an unintentional breach of an individual’s Charter rights led to the discovery of a firearm and marijuana. The court needed to decide if they were going to allow this evidence to lead to a serious charge because there was a breach of rights. From this case, the Supreme Court of Canada created a new test to determine whether evidence obtained by a Charter breach should be excluded under s. 24(2) of the Charter. This test weighs how serious the breach is against the criminal case that is being executed.

R. v. Jordan (2016) imposed time limits on criminal trials, stipulating that most trials must conclude within 18 to 30 months from the initial charge. Running beyond that timeline risks having the charges dropped entirely or the prosecution halted indefinitely.

Specialization and training

Over the years, police training has significantly evolved to meet their communities’ diverse needs and expectations. Officers now undergo extensive instruction in various areas, such as de-escalation tactics, mental health awareness, Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT), and fair and impartial policing. They can also hone their skills through virtual reality simulations, ensuring readiness for real-world scenarios.

“There are so many options on the use-of-force continuum that the officers have on their toolbelts now,” said Palmer.

Training and operational standards are also closely aligned with provincial regulations, which Smyth believes should give communities comfort that officers are not out there “winging it”.

The advent of smartphones, delivering global news instantaneously, has compelled police services to pivot quickly to address emerging trends. “We must be able to respond in a way that’s culturally competent and sensitive to what’s happening in our neighbourhoods,” said Demkiw.

Photo credit: Fady Dagher

“I’ve seen Blue Line throughout my career and am looking for the best practices, equipment, and more. I make sure that Blue Line is available in my office’s waiting area, so my guests can read them before they see me. It’s good to have it right there.” Chief Fady Dagher, Montreal Police Department (SPVM)

The policing profession has also grown more specialized, with larger municipal services establishing dedicated teams for child exploitation, cybercrime, organized crime, homicide, drug enforcement, canine units, forensics and financial crimes.

Collaboration across municipal, provincial and federal levels of law enforcement has intensified for investigations involving drugs, organized crime, national security and terrorism, and also extends into international cooperation with the United States and other global partners.

“Continuous training and development for all officers at every level is essential,” Chanin stressed. Despite challenges posed by events like COVID-19, she viewed this period as an exciting opportunity for advancing police practices.

Changing demographics

Over the past three decades, Canada’s population demographics have undergone significant transformations. Immigration to Canada has been motivated by various factors, such as geopolitical stability, climate considerations, and safety concerns in other countries.

This influx includes people who may come from regions where perceptions of law enforcement are negative. Neufeld emphasized the need to find new pathways into policing so that diverse communities can be authentically represented. “It’s crucial to ensure our services reflect the communities we serve,” echoed Duheme.

Demkiw advocated for embedding community perspectives in policing operations through co-designing and co-delivering safety initiatives.

As the country’s demographics have changed, so too have the demographics of police services. When women in policing data were first collected in 1986, women made up only 4 per cent of all Canadian police officers, whereas in 2023 the number sat at 23 per cent. In 2024, the RCMP marked a milestone as they reached the fiftieth anniversary of its first female troop.

MacSween, currently the highest-ranking black woman in Canada and the second to be appointed deputy chief after Peel Regional Police’s Ingrid Berkeley-Brown, sees the numbers headed in the right direction, though it is slow-going. She sees her role as an opportunity to help to inspire diverse applicants to join the policing profession. Similarly, Chanin made history as the first female deputy chief and now chief of the Oak Bay Police Department.

Photo credit: Mike Duheme

“I’ve been around for 37 years, and I’ve been reading Blue Line for the 35 years it has been around. It always makes its way into my office. An awful lot of excellent work is being done across the country, and it needs to be shared more often than it is now. Blue Line is one of the places we can do that.” – Commissioner Mike Duheme, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Over the past few decades, there has been an improvement in the representation of Indigenous members within police services, alongside increased visibility in Indigenous communities. When Gervais transferred from the OPP to the newly created T3PS in 2003, 30 other members began with her. Since then, the service has expanded to include 100 sworn members, with ongoing growth. Gervais noted, “We strive to provide fair and equitable policing to the 23 communities we serve. We regularly engage with them to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance our services through the creation of culturally responsive programs.”

With these shifts in policing also came the greater focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts—a change Neufeld sees as ultimately for the better.

Demkiw, sharing similar sentiments, recommended a comprehensive equity strategy focused on confronting anti-Black racism, supporting Indigenous cultural safety, engaging with the LGBTQQIP2SAA community, and fostering trust and professionalism within the police service.

These efforts reflect a commitment to evolving alongside demographic changes, ensuring that Canadian police services are inclusive, responsive and representative of the communities they serve.

Mental and physical health

Recent years have seen a significant shift in policing towards prioritizing members’ mental health and well-being. While resources may vary among police organizations and provinces, there is a growing recognition of the psychological and physical toll inherent in policing. This has led to establishing wellness units and specialized programs staffed by dedicated wellness officers and psychologists who work closely with members to provide necessary support.

When Killeen began as a recruit and was dealing with a tremendous amount of stress due to the illness of his newborn son, he didn’t feel like he could talk about it with his peers. “There was a huge stigma for any officer to show a chink in their armour,” he shared. He recognized the “great strides” that have been made to challenge this stigma of mental health issues, PTSD and burnout in the policing profession over the past few decades.

Photo credit: Treena MacSween

“No other national Canadian magazine speaks specifically to policing and its hot topics. Policing is policing, and we don’t need to reinvent the wheel at each department when it comes to addressing community issues. Blue Line is awesome because I can pick up the magazine and see what someone out west or out east is doing. I have made so many contacts through Blue Line as well. It’s like an encyclopedia of policing information.” – Deputy Chief Treena MacSween, London Police Service

However, the focus on mental health extends beyond policing alone. Officers are increasingly responding to mental health-related calls daily, which reflects a broader societal change in how mental health issues are addressed.

“I keep telling my team to get used to the change. We must be adaptable. We can’t look it as an obstacle, though; we need to see it as an opportunity. When we adapt, we discover new ways of doing things,” said Dagher.

A look ahead

Looking ahead, police leaders are keenly aware of the rapid evolution of technology and its implications for the future. MacSween acknowledged the growing reliance on technology among members and stressed the need to carefully weigh both the positive and negative impacts, especially in the realm of digital evidence gathering.

“The criminal landscape is evolving rapidly alongside technology. I feel our legislative framework is having difficulty keeping up with it,” said Duheme.

For smaller departments like Chanin’s and Gervais’s, the future of policing technology appears promising. “We value the opportunity to learn from other Canadian services trialling new equipment,” said Chanin, highlighting its potential to effectively address complex societal changes.

Demkiw, Palmer and Smyth all shared similar sentiments concerning artificial intelligence (AI), recognizing its potential benefits while cautioning against risks such as deep fakes and data manipulation.

“How do we manage the significant growth in AI while ensuring community safety and considering privacy and ethical implications?” asked Demkiw.

Photo credit: Julie Chanin

“Blue Line is an important part of policing in Canada. We often get very focused on our own departments and jurisdictions and lose sight of the people who are blazing trails or trying new things. Blue Line provides a vehicle for us to connect, and I really appreciate that.” – Chief Julie Chanin, Oak Bay Police Department

In addition to technological initiatives, establishing sustainable funding models for policing will be crucial as we move forward. Public scrutiny over budgets requires police leaders to carefully balance advancing budgets with community concerns and ongoing discussions.

Demkiw emphasized the need for police to be able to adopt operational and strategic planning that considers sustainable funding over multiple years, moving away from annual cycles.

“The future requires discussions on sustainable and predictable funding,” echoed Duheme. Understanding long-term funding streams would enable informed, fiscally responsible decisions that respect community perspectives, needs and expectations.

For Gervais and Indigenous police services like T3PS, ongoing conversations are crucial regarding funding parity between municipal and Indigenous police services. She emphasized, “This remains a collaborative effort, not just among Indigenous services in Ontario, but nationwide.”

Killeen echoed these sentiments and stated that the recent 2023 ruling from Justice Gascon for First Nations Police to be able to implement specialized units that were previously denied, such as drug, canine and crime units, is just the beginning. “These specialized units will not only help Indigenous Police Services better meet the community’s needs and wants, but also allow officers and staff professional growth opportunities and the ability to move laterally within their careers.”

Above all else, Dagher envisions the future of successful police departments as those that are capable of fostering a cohesive police family structure. Drawing parallels to the healthcare system’s diverse roles, he advocated for a similar multidisciplinary approach in policing. During his tenure as chief in Longueuil, Que., a RESO team was created—comprising a police officer, nurse, social worker and therapist—to service specific addresses frequently calling 911. “The team assessed individual needs and ensured we could deliver on promised services to maintain trust. Results showed a significant reduction in 911 calls,” he said.

Similarly, Neufeld acknowledged policing’s evolving challenges and advocated for deeper integration with healthcare professionals, particularly concerning the drug crisis. But while police are able to provide essential insights to help future policy responses, he shared that they must resist the temptation to become the whole system. He said, “The police need to unapologetically be the police. At the end of the day, when someone is committing an offence, only the police have the power to arrest or intervene.”

“It’s important to acknowledge Blue Line’s role, especially when it’s helping to advocate for critical issues like funding for Indigenous policing. If I’m able to learn about important topics here, it’s clear that other police leaders across Canada can as well.” – Chief Cheryl Gervais, Treaty 3 Police Service

Gervais, similarly, admitted that sometimes the police are not the right people to tend to specific calls. “Partnering with other agencies to create a more holistic approach to serve our communities is the way forward.”

Duheme emphasized the need for enhanced international law enforcement collaboration, marking a shift from “policing in silos” to collective action. “We’re all fighting for the same cause, just our uniforms are different,” he said. Duheme also believes that public trust hinges on transparency and accountability, and a concerted effort needs to be focused on keeping that trust.

Final thoughts

In reflecting on Blue Line’s 35-year journey alongside the evolution of Canadian policing, it is clear that the landscape has undergone profound changes since the magazine’s inception in 1989. From an era characterized by simpler technologies and different societal expectations, policing has transitioned into a dynamic and complex field shaped by technological advancements, legal precedents, demographic shifts, and a heightened focus on mental health and community integration. As challenges evolve and society changes, Canadian policing remains steadfast in its mission to uphold safety, justice and integrity.