Lecture 3 - Leadership Panel Flashcards
Officers In Panel
David Fluegel (Chief): Port Moody Police Department
Nick Bell (Inspector): West Van Police Department
Kathy Hartwig (Inspector): Burnaby RCMP
Wendy Mehat (Inspector): Ridge Meadows RCMP
If you had to describe police with one word
David Fluegel: Complex - (Not Just Calls About Violence, range of calls; Domestic Problems and Mental Health
Nick Bell: Essential - Police are essential to keep areas safe from crime, police have to be there, no rest no matter what
Kathy Hartwig: Safety - Police called because ppl dont feel safe, not just hotspots
Wendy Mehat: Exciting - Every single day something different (law & policy changes, etc.)
Most Significant Changed Experienced In Policing Career
David Fluegel: Technology
- Police Side: Drones, AI, Surveillance
- Public Side: Cellphones, evidence required to access
Nick Bell: Level of Accountability
Kathy Hartwig: Public perception of the police
Wendy Mehat: Level of Violence - Police have to anticipate potential for a gun or weapon in person’s possession
How Do You Balance Status Quo and Resistance to Change With Social Pressures To Be Innovative With Practices?
David Fluegel: Challenge of recruitment. Not as many people desire to be officers. Community Policing is done so ppl can see good of what officers do
Nick Bell: evidence-based research and public awareness are key
Kathy Hartwig: Through Education
Wendy Mehat: Listen to the communities needs - Her section wanted police to be more engaged (police appearance)
David Fluegel: Biggest Difference Between Port Moody PD (Municipal) and RCMP (Federal)?
Mobility: RCMP allows moving between federal, provincial, municipal, even international.
Port Moody confines him to one area.
He relates it to going from Air Canada to Harbour Air.
Biggest Challenge Currently Facing Policing in Lower Mainland and What is Your Agency doing about it?
Nick Bell: Retention: His agency helps officers with personal problems to make them want to stay.
Kathy Hartwig:Proficient note taking and taking the correct procedures. Lack of organization and keeping up with technology has led to cases being thrown out.
Wendy Mehat: Continuous Learning given to officers. Information about drugs, cryptocurrency, etc. These are all things officers need prior expertise in to excel in the job.
Nick Bell: In addition, you are pursuing a PHD. What parallels can you draw from your work as researcher and your work as a police officer?
- Making mistakes in both. Need to figure out core of the problem and then apply best practices and research for it.
- Ability to take in information and make a decision from it
Kathy Hartwig: Burnaby RCMP is one of the biggest organizations in Canada, What do you think are the implications of big city policing of principles of community?
People want to be safe in a big city, but it is harder to see and reach officers in such a big area.
Wendy Mehat: Worked many different police roles. Biggest difficulties you have experienced?
- DIfferent levels of threats in each department and how to adjust
- Different roles in each department (making food for prisoners, etc.)
As police officers what characteristics do you look for, and did the ideal recruit change over time?
David Fluegel: Core values of person on and off shift. Need values that align with values of police
Nick Bell: Problem Solving - Solves problems and knows there is not just one right answer
Kathy Hartwig: Characteristics: Articulate, willing to jump into unknown, good decision maker.
* Need to rethink your decision, can’t blindly agree with something
Wendy Mehat: Need humility and self-awareness. Remember you are primarily unsupervised and represent the law. Ego = Bad
Words of Advice For Applicants In the Room
David Fluegel: Do not have to be physically fit, police is a diverse occupation.
* Do not let stereotypes get to you
Nick Bell: Job should not change who you are, can have a great career without turning into stereotypical cop
* Variability within policing is immense
Kathy Hartwig: Must have credibility in field of work and establish yourself
* Police is hardwork, but very rewarding and many people look up to you
Wendy Mehat: Policing is a way of life, not just a job. Know things in your life change when you begin, conduct on and off duty is important
* It is a privielege, but be cognizant
Wendy Mehat: How do you define “good police work” and once defined, how do you measure it?
Having solid community trust, measured with community feedback.
- Does the community trust you enough to report crime
