The Rural Voice, 1992-12, Page 64GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER ' The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
Farmers need effective police forces
In April of 1992 the Grey County
Federation of Agriculture presented a
resolution to the OFA Board of
Directors, expressing concern about
declining police protection in rural
areas.
These concerns were brought to us
by the Grey County Women's
Institute. The major concem was that
budget cut-backs were eroding police
service. The OFA Executive brought
this resolution to the attention of the
Premier of Ontario. Little did we
realize at that time that funding was
the least of the problems facing
policing in Ontario. Proposed
changes to regulations governing the
conduct of front-line police officers in
the execution of their duties when
facing potentially violent situations,
have led to near mutiny by police
officers across Ontario. It appears
that these regulations have been
developed on short notice to appease
some pressure groups.
Was there any research into the
effect on public AND officer safety?
Were police professionals involved
in the development of these
regulations?
If not, why not?
The provincial
government
appears to be determined to
implement the controversial
regulations by January 1, 1993,
despite the concerns of police officers
and the public at large.
What is the perceived emergency
that makes the provincial govemment
willing to force these regulations on
police at this time?
GCFA Directors'
Meeting
Thursday, December 17, 1992
OMAF Boardroom, Markdale
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to
attend
60 THE RURAL VOICE
Would it not be fax more construct-
ive to take a step back, postpone
implementation of the new regula-
tions, do the necessary research, and
obtain input from the men and women
who have to handle potentially violent
crime situations every day? Certainly
there are sufficient laws and regula-
tions in force NOW to control any
excesses or abuses of police powers.
Obviously Queen's Park is
responding to pressure groups in
society. Fair enough. It is the
responsibility of government to be a
balance. Other concerns have to
receive equal consideration. This
apparently has not happened.
I do not for one moment believe
the claims of certain media,
politicians and special interest groups,
that our police are a bunch of racist,
out -of -control gun-slingers. Who are
these "Bad Guys" anyway? Are they
not our sons and daughters, brothers,
husbands and fathers and neighbours?
Responsible members of society
entrusted with our safety? With
violent crime on an unprecedented
increase, do we really have to further
reduce the ability of the front line
officers to do the job they are sworn
to do?
What does all this have to do with
farming, you ask?
As farmers in sparsely populated
rural Ontario we have to depend on
fewer officers covering much larger
areas than our urban friends. We do
not want police morale destroyed
through mistrust and obnoxious
regulations hampering their ability to
do their job.
Existing laws, regulations, "Bill of
Rights", (when will politicians get
around to the passing of a "Bill of
Responsibilities"?) already give more
protection to the law -breaker than the
victim.
Government and police are both
duty-bound to work for the good of
the society they represent. If for no
other reason, both sides must make a
new start.
Has either side heard of an old
Canadian tradition called
"Compromise"?0
Karl Braeker
Grey South OFA Regional Director
Jeff Torrie (centre) retiring OFA regional director, was honoured by George
Black, GCFA president, and Gertie Blake, OFA field representative, at the
GCFA annual meeting in Durham in October.