NCJ Number
196650
Journal
Gazette Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 10-11
Date Published
2002
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article outlines the work that the joint forces community relations group has been doing to foster an environment in which safe summits can take place.
Abstract
Previous events such as the meetings of the G8 and the World Bank have shown an alarming pattern of escalating violence between police and protesters. The pattern consists of police implementing tactics that protesters try to defeat, which leads to escalation in the form of the use of chemical irritants and firebombs. The G8 Summit Security Team Community Relations Group (CRG) was created out of the realization that the focus in policing should be speaking to the public, working in partnership with clients, and upholding the law while maintaining peace. The CRG is an integrated team of Calgary Police Services (CPS) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members. The purpose of the CRG is to create and maintain partnerships among all the stakeholders of the G8 Summit and the RCMP Security Team through an ongoing system of liaison, communication, and joint problem solving. The goals are to reverse the pattern of escalating violence that has come to define gatherings such as the G8; to create an environment of peace and cooperation; and to recognize and address the needs, hopes, and fears of all communities. The CRG consists of four units – Aboriginal Liaison, Business/Community Liaison, Summit Management Office (SMO) Outreach Program Liaison, and Activist Liaison. The Aboriginal and Business/Community Liaison Units have identified affected communities and are meeting with groups to address concerns and needs to prepare for the Summit. CRG members are taking care to respect the cultures and traditions of the varied groups. The SMO Outreach Program and Activist Liaison Units use a holistic approach to create a process of peace and relationship building following a decrease in trust between police and demonstrators. A system of addressing conflict is being created through cooperative input and participation. The negotiators from the Activist Liaison Unit will continue to build this relationship and jointly design operational applications for different civil society interests. Negotiators will work on the street level with their counterparts during protests to ensure constant contact.