The Need for a Canadian Database of Police Use-of-Force Incidents

Bennell, Craig; Brown, Andrew; Jenkins, Bryce; Khanizadeh, Ariane-Jade; MacIsaac, Audrey; Semple, Tori

doi:10.3138/cjccj.2021-0022

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In Canada, the use of force is governed by the Criminal Code, which permits the use of force by police officers when there are “reasonable grounds that the force is necessary” for self-protection or the protection of other people under threat [ 82 ]. However, there are intensifying concerns about the increasing use of force by the police in Canada [ 83 ], including concerns about the use of force with ethnic minorities in particular [ 83 ] and the scarcity of data about the use of force incidents and police training [ 83 , 84 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study

Zakkar,

Jang,

Kolahdooz

et al. 2024

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Interactions with the police can impact an individual’s short and long-term physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as levels of violence and unrest within a community. As such, this study aimed to explore experiences with the police among individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages in Edmonton, Canada. For this qualitative study, participants (n = 39) were recruited from an emergency shelter for women, a drop-in community organization supporting individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages, and a centre providing settlement support for newcomers to Canada. During the recruitment process, the research information sheet, including the scope and goals of the study, was presented, and participants who had any experience with the police were recruited. Each participant joined one of seven focus groups, during which experiences with the police were discussed; data from the focus groups were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis. Factors that contributed to satisfactory experiences with the police included the police demonstrating responsiveness and compassion, as well as an individual’s understanding of police work. Factors that contributed to unsatisfactory experiences included the experiences of discrimination, stigmatization, and disrespect during interactions with the police. Participants suggested that community-police relationships could be improved by police being less judgemental and suspicious in their approach, undergoing regular training in sociocultural sensitivity, and being more open in their communication and community outreach. Overall, adopting a less discriminatory and more empathetic approach within a police force is essential for creating and maintaining a positive community-police relationship. By considering the socioeconomic context of people’s behaviours and actions, police can better support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study

Zakkar,

Jang,

Kolahdooz

et al. 2024

PLOS Glob Public Health

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“…Fortunately, in both countries, force is rarely used by police officers during interactions with the public. While it is hard to derive accurate estimates, largely because high-quality data are difficult to access (Bennell et al, 2022), most police–public interactions in the United States and Canada do not involve the UoF. In the United States, for example, data from the Police-Public Contact Survey and the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails were used by Hickman et al (2008) to estimate rates of nonlethal force.…”

Section: Police Uofmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of Police Use of Force by Male and Female Officers in Canada: Rates, Modalities, Effectiveness, and Injuries

Sheppard,

Khanizadeh,

Baldwin

et al. 2024

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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Research has reported inconsistent findings with respect to how female and male police officers use force. This study examined this issue in a Canadian context. Use of force data over 9 years were collected from a large Canadian police agency. The results demonstrated that, overall, female officers used force less frequently than male officers relative to the number of female and male officers within the participating police agency. Female officers had lower odds of using physical control “hard” options (e.g., stuns and strikes) and higher odds of using intermediate weapons (e.g., conducted energy weapon) compared with male officers. Female officers also generally reported less effectiveness, more injuries to themselves, and fewer injuries to subjects related to their use of force compared with male officers. Literature on police use of force and social role theory are used to help explain the findings, and recommendations for improving outcomes in police–public interactions are suggested.

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“…These studies provide critical information regarding the inadequacies of the justice and law enforcement system, how they affect public trust and confidence, and what can be done to bridge the gap by frame policies that enable courts and police to meet the expectations of Canadians. However, in recent years, as part of a response to problems of social inequities, discrimination, and systemic racism within Canadian society there have been increasing demands for gathering data on marginalized communities (David & Mitchell, 2021;Samuels-Wortley, 2021;and Bennell et al, 2022). Although such detailed information and databases will not eliminate all the concerns that some Canadians might have with the justice system and policing, it will address some of their concerns on transparency and accountability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Views on Access to Justice in Quebec

2022

IJCDMS

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Aim/Purpose: Understanding how Black people view the justice system helps in identifying some areas of friction, and thereby provides critical insights into the measures needed to improve the working and management of the justice delivery process. Background: Access to justice is a fundamental Canadian value. However, evidence shows that Black and racialized communities have been facing systemic racism and discrimination in all forms, and in all phases of the justice system. There is a need to study critical information regarding the inadequacies of the justice system, how they affect Black people, and what can be done to bridge the gap between Black communities and government policies in Quebec. Methodology: Through systematic race-based data collection, this study examines the perception of racial discrimination law enforcement and courts among Black communities in Quebec. Using a total sample of ninety-three (N=93) Black respondents, the study sheds light on Black people perception to identify and respond to issues of social inequities, discrimination, and racism within Quebec society. Both Likert scale and open-ended questions were asked in order to measure perception of justice accessibility, respectful interaction with law enforcement, fair procedure and outcome, language and overall perception of the justice system. Findings: The findings indicate that respondents with personal experience with police officers are less likely perceive access to justice positively. Regardless of their demographic characteristics, the results of this study confirmed that Black people continue to experience various forms of injustice, discrimination, and unfair treatment in Quebec. Impact on Society: Racism affects Black Canadians at every step of the criminal justice system, from policing to pretrial detention to sentencing to prisons. To have a clearer picture of the extent and nature of anti-Black racism in the Canadian criminal justice system, the researchers adopted systematic race-based data collection. Studies similar to the current research are the key opportunity to address anti-Black racism in the justice system.

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The Need for a Canadian Database of Police Use-of-Force Incidents

Cited by 9 publications

References 43 publications

Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study

Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study

A Comparison of Police Use of Force by Male and Female Officers in Canada: Rates, Modalities, Effectiveness, and Injuries

Views on Access to Justice in Quebec

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