DO YOU WANT TO PICK THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF?

DO YOU WANT TO PICK THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF?

The Calgary Police Commission is searching for Calgary’s next Chief Constable and would like to hear from Calgarians about the priorities for the Chief over the next five years and the qualities the city needs in a new Chief. An online questionnaire can be filled out by any citizen to provide personal feedback. I personally think it is a waste of time. 

First of all, collecting random surveys provides you with a sample of opinions that are of little value. Opinions of the general public on most issues should  certainly not form a major element in the selection of the top official in the police department. These kinds of surveys tend to be filled in by those who are opinionated on every topic and not really based upon current relevant data and hard facts. A respondent’s most recent experience (eg they had a car stolen) will provide the major focus of their reply. A small vocal minority will provide input and I don’t believe would be a fair representation of the general population.

It is not the citizenry of a city that should provide the priorities for the city police. The police department, which is involved in all aspects of police work, have all the data and information on the city’s greatest needs and problems. They deal with city problems all day, every day, and they know which problem areas are escalating and which are more under control. Priorities should be based on actual needs determined by experts, not suggested needs of the less informed public. 

Providing input on the qualities that the city needs in a new Chief is even a more useless activity. I would propose that any new chief should possess diverse experiences, have demonstrated success in all of his previous policing roles, be a good communicator, well versed in the latest policing procedures in all areas and able to provide commanding and problem solving leadership. Personal qualities such as honesty, integrity, hard working, fairness, unbiased, intelligent and personable are all, also important. I am not sure that anyone’s input on this topic would provide a much different set of qualities. 

Above all, I think that these kind of public consultations are more of a public relations inspired activity to try to persuade people that their opinion is really valued. If in fact the results of the survey indicated that the general public’s priority list for the city was much different from the Calgary Police Commission’s list, the latter list would be the one selected. Public surveys are generally a feel good activity with little real value to the experts. 

I am quite happy to let the Police Commission select the candidate and city priorities they will have to deal with over the next five years. My opinion on the matter is irrelevant! Do you want to contribute your two cents worth? Go to 

www.engage.calgary.ca/chiefsearch