Restoring Access to Canadian Police Information Centre

Resolution Category Provincial Scope 9
Subject Social
Year 2015
Status Adopted - Expired
Sponsor - Mover
Penhold, Town of
Active Clauses

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AUMA encourage the Province to find a solution to allow Community Peace Officers the ability to utilize The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) for the purpose of obtaining information on respective vehicles/personnel ensuring their safety prior to approaching a complete unknown situation.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT if the Provincial RCMP find this task too onerous that this service be reviewed for possible alternatives that will best assist all law enforcement agencies. 
 

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS it is the role of Municipal Government to provide for the safety and wellbeing of their residents; 

WHEREAS the Provincial Government has in recent past requested and implemented systems to focus on a high level of expectations by Municipalities to ensure there is a high level of Professionalism maintained within the Levels of Community Peace Officers;

WHEREAS the Province desires to provide an ongoing safe working environment for all Peace Officers throughout the Province; and 

WHEREAS the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) was designed for the information and safety of Peace Officers that should include all peace officers.

Resolution Background

The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) was created in 1966 to provide tools to assist the police community in combating crime. It was approved by Treasury Board in 1967 as a computerized information system to provide all Canadian law enforcement agencies with information on crimes and criminals. CPIC is operated by the RCMP under the stewardship of National Police Services, on behalf of the Canadian law enforcement community. Community Peace Officers Comments: Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) was built so that law enforcement officers would have an up to date database of information so that they may query individuals that have: -recorded interactions with law enforcement -charges pending before the courts (Canada wide) -criminal convictions (Criminal Records) -warrants for their apprehension (Canada wide) -documentation of violence towards others -documentation of violence towards law enforcement (police haters) -known gang interaction or affiliation -suicidal tendencies -individuals currently under criminal investigation CPIC as well as listing the above, also gives law enforcement officers on the street (mostly working alone) a heads up of any recorded documentation of criminal behaviour or tendencies that may place the officer "at risk". As for traffic stops, which are one of the common duties a Community Peace Officer (CPO) does, vehicle queries (stolen license plates, stolen vehicles or wanted in connection to a crime) is a huge benefit to assisting them in safety. As CPIC is "the" national database for all criminal activity, it is imperative that all law enforcement officers with powers of arrest, have unrestricted access to this system. There appears to be an argument that this is a FOIP issue. The individuals using the system are doing so as law enforcement officers in the lawful execution of his / her duties. CPIC assist in the integrity of our justice system by ensuring individuals that are "wanted" are detected by law enforcement officers, and processed according to law. Often, individuals that are “Wanted” are not detected, therefore not accountable for outstanding charges. CIPC access can change this. CPIC for CPO’s can be lifesaving, as they are often "working alone", unarmed, and subject to interaction with the same individuals as RCMP police officers. Until a CPO is able to query an individual on CPIC, they have no idea if the person they are dealing with is wanted convicted of a serious violent criminal act, or just "Joe Public". By the very nature of someone being a criminal, they (the individual) are aware of their past, and of their hatred towards law enforcement, or that they are currently "wanted" by law enforcement. Without CPIC, this puts the CPO at serious risk. The RCMP needs to encourage The Canadian Police Information Center” CPIC. Without CPIC the safety of many law enforcement agencies are blind and possible great risk.

Government Response

The Ministry clarified the types of information available to Community Peace Officers and Bylaw Officers, and noted that if they require information for their personal safety while conducting their duties, they should contact the RCMP. 

In an additional letter, the Ministry confirmed that they had reached out to the Town of Penhold to resolve this issue.

 

Alberta Municipalities notes

In a May 25, 2017 letter, the Mayor of Penhold confirmed that Justice and Solicitor General staff had contacted their Chief Administrative Officer, and that their concerns have been resolved.