Belleville’s police chief emphasized the need to recognize diversity when addressing the Quinte Branch of the United Nations of Canada on its virtual meeting Thursday.
Chief Mike Callaghan pointed to the fact that the latest statistics show female officers make up only 17% of the local force.
He said currently there are three Indigenous officers and one member who identifies from the gay lesbian bisexual community.
When questioned about police dealing with mental health calls Callaghan emphasized the service is looking at a new program working with health care workers.
“We will initially attempt to de-escalate the potential of violence in the individual that is in acute crisis. Once that’s done we will take and ensure that they have the right follow-up and trained individuals to support them.”
Chief Callaghan took questions about the force dealing with domestic assault cases.
He said the police service has come a long way with these cases, and is doing a better job of dealing with victims’ rights.
“I think we’ve come a long way. Do we have a long way to come? Oh, absolutely. There’s no question. That being said. I think we’re doing a better job of understanding the victims’ rights as well as the victim impact.”
“I think there have been several organizations within the judicial system and the ministry identifying victim assistance programs to assist victims of crime. Not only victims of domestic crime. Victims of all crime.”“We need to strive to ensure that we’re getting out in our community to educate people on what we do and how they may be able to assist us and the policing profession and also assist us in making Belleville the safest community in Ontario.”
He added, *Policing is a less desirable profession. We need to move towards a mutual understanding of the role. (Deputy) Chris Barry and I have given the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte a $1000 bursary for Loyalist College in hopes that that person becomes a member of our police service.”
The chief emphasized that the service is continually trying to provide as much education for the police members as possible.
The local United Nations group held the session emphasizing the need to eliminate racism.
