May 13th, 2013
The True meaning of Diversity
The Honourable Jason Kenney, the minister in charge of Canada’s multicultural policy and programs, was recently musing about the language of articulating this country’s policy on cultural diversity. For the thirty years since adoption of the Charter of Rights and twenty years after the Multiculturalism Act, the nation has employed the term “multiculturalism” as descriptive of our rich blend of cultures and heritage. The latest proposal favours the term “pluralism,” as defining a social Read more [...]
May 6th, 2013
Puzzling Through the Politics – Part 2
Let’s examine the route to career success without dependence on politics. There are no Ten Commandments for success. There are, however, certain personal habits that will lead to top personal performance. Consider these suggestions:
Show up – Showing up is the first law of policing, whether you are a rookie reporting on time for a shift, or a Superintendent scheduled for a meeting with a community group. Good cops seldom say so, but they watch intently to see who shows up. This is Read more [...]
April 29th, 2013
Puzzling Through the Politics – Part 1
The spirit of adventure and the spirit of service are the traditional motivators drawing men and women towards policing. As the zest for adventure wanes with maturity and experience, the satisfaction of service becomes more important. The feeling that comes with knowing that you are doing meaningful work is a powerful incentive, together with praise and recognition. Everyone likes to know that his or her work is appreciated. There comes a point, however, when many people hope to enjoy recognition Read more [...]
April 15th, 2013
Bullshit Defined
Not a shift goes by in a police officer’s life without an encounter with bullshit. It is everywhere. Most of us are confident of our ability to recognize bullshit and avoid being taken in by it, and most of us contribute our share, but in general we tend to take the situation for granted and the phenomenon has not aroused much concern. But we have no clear understanding of what bullshit is, why there is so much of it, and what purpose it serves. Harry Frankfurt, a retired university professor Read more [...]
March 4th, 2013
Managing the Aftermath
The aftermath of a critical incident poses almost as many hazards as the event itself, yet there is a great temptation to relax when the immediate danger has passed. This is a serious mistake. In the wake of a critical incident such as an armed and barricaded person the police service that fails to prepare for the aftermath is taking an unwarranted risk. There are a few simple but critical elements for avoiding problems:
Prepare a back-up investigative team
The first exposure to risk occurs Read more [...]
