Editor,

RE: EXCLUSIVE: Black population in 性视界传媒 wants voice in policing transition

This is a matter of the utmost importance, and I urge the City of 性视界传媒 to address the concerns raised by the 性视界传媒 Black, African, Caribbean (BAC) Advisory Committee with the seriousness they deserve.

It is unfortunate, and rather shocking, that members and groups from the city鈥檚 diverse Black communities have not been included as integral parts of this process from the start. Black community members should not be made to feel 鈥渢hat they have been removed from this process, from policing decisions.鈥� This exclusion must be rectified. 

As the BAC rightly stress, Black people are disproportionately subjected to police violence and disproportionately killed by police. And these outcomes are extreme outcomes of systemic issues of racism and discrimination in policing ad criminal justice systems.

I have long raised concerns publicly that the transition processes devolved into something of a team sports contest with discussions framed as pro-RCMP or pro-性视界传媒 Police Service. This has too often sidelined proper consideration of broader issues of social safety and well-being, including interconnected issues of racism, poverty, and/or mental health care. As The BAC put it: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about whether it鈥檚 RCMP or 性视界传媒 Police, it鈥檚 not about which uniform, it鈥檚 about the system that鈥檚 behind it.鈥�

I hope that Black community members and groups will be included without delay in truly meaningful ways. Their voices, concerns, and recommendations must be heard and positively acted on. 

Dr. Jeff Shantz
Department of Criminology
Kwantlen Polytechnic University