Calgary, AB,
17
May
2017
|
10:12
America/Denver

Calgary Police Service commencing independent review of use of force

The Calgary Police Service is commencing an independent review of its policies, procedures, practices, training, equipment, and culture with respect to the use of lethal force with the goal of providing recommendations that could someday help us have zero fatalities in future critical incidents.

The purpose of this review is not to assign individual fault in any incidents that have occurred, but it will instead look for any systemic issues that could be improved to reduce the use of lethal force.

The review will be conducted by The Honourable Chief Justice Neil Wittmann (Ret.).

Chief Justice Wittmann has 50 years of legal experience, serving as a Superior Court Justice for the last 18 years of his career. During this time, he presided over criminal cases and appeals, giving him a strong understanding of criminal law in Canada. In 2009, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench, where he served for seven and a half years. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he practiced criminal and civil law, and served as counsel to a public inquiry into a widespread investment fraud that occurred in Alberta.

As part of the independent review he has also been asked to consult with any experts, stakeholders or CPS members that he feels are necessary.

A terms of reference for the review is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.