Blue Line magazine features Dr. Amy Ramsay, a retired OPP Sgt.
"Dr. Amy Ramsay has a rather diverse educational background, holding undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Women's Studies, and Religious Studies; Master’s degrees in Criminology, Education, and Theological Studies (majoring in Church History); and Doctorates in Criminal Justice and Management & Organization (specializing in Leadership)." https://online.wlu.ca/faculty/dr-amy-ramsay
"Police services need to start preparing for the future today by hiring educated chiefs or commissioners who understand why diversity is so critical to public policing. Then they need to emphasize the incredible value of educational standards in hiring new recruits—that a “high school diploma or equivalent” is no longer acceptable. It is these educated and culturally diverse recruits who will become the leaders of public policing tomorrow. It is now up to these future police chiefs and commissioners to change the culture of public policing and bridge existing gaps by utilizing the true power and value of diversity."
“There has to be some sort of fundamental change in the RCMP,” he said. “But, putting RCMP members in a classroom for two or three hours and showing them some videos about cultural awareness is not going to change the attitude of the people who are policing this country.” Attorney Chris Murphy speaking to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP on the Colten Boushie case.
"The May 2019 dataset also showed that only four per cent of police officers and three per cent of recruits self-identified as Indigenous."
Chris Murphy may be correct. Until the RCMP rids itself of the misogynists and racists, the Force will continue on its downward spiral. https://www.blueline.ca/diversity-in-policing-an-educational-assessment/
Calvin Lawrence was a Mountie who was subjected to racism at each turn of his career.
"Calvin Lawrence will never forget a poster a colleague taped to the outside of a cubicle near his office desk. A caricature of a black man running naked in bare feet was the firing range target. The words, “Official Runnin’ Nigger Target” were scrawled across the top."
"Black Cop" is available https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Cop-police-experiences-official/dp/1459414489
Policing has to change in North America, there is no question about the need. Like any change, some participants will accept the process willingly and others protesting all the way to the unemployment line.
The first two days this post appeared on social media, fifty currently serving RCMP Members discounted Dr. Ramsay's recommendation for higher education for recruits.
Ironically, the E Pirate investigation into money laundering in British Columbia casinos was disbanded after three years, millions of dollars spent and zero arrests. Analysis of the debacle revealed one of the shortcomings of the team was that their limited education created a barrier to many tasks such as warrant applications.