Open letter from the ex-police against the register.
It was claimed by the supporters of the creation of the Quebec arms register that it was a request by the police. We are retired police officers from different services in different regions. But our observation is the same.
The reality is that the employer and the trade union party have both positioned themselves in favour of the register. But everything indicates that it is for political and social reasons. After the killing of the polytechnic, the anti-firearms lobby became extremely powerful. We can easily understand that. What politician would dare say no to women who were victims of such terrible drama?
They were exposed to a war scene, while even soldiers trained to face these situations often come back when they face it. But should this suffering justify penalising honest citizens?
And the police, those who do work on the ground and allegedly need this tool, have not been consulted on this. The Police Act (Chapter 13.1) requires reservation and neutrality. Add the culture present in the police bodies where it is wrong to get out of the ranks. This leads to pressure to remain discreet on the issue, especially when an active policeman is against the register.
In this debate surrounding the application of the firearms register, we retired police officers believe that it is relevant to make our position heard in order to counterbalance the expected silence of our still active colleagues.
The Nature of police work has changed much over time. Organized crime is becoming increasingly difficult and more and more mental health and drug abuse interventions are being undertaken. The reality of the field brings us back to the critical needs in these areas. In the exercise of our daily functions, inadequate services and frameworks for disorganized patients and drug addicts are obvious.
The law on the protection of persons whose mental state poses a danger to themselves or to others limits our scope to those who present a serious and immédiat' danger. Are released quickly when they have a clear need for care and mentoring.
So disorganized people are left to themselves shortly after we have intervened. The phenomenon of revolving doors is known and documented. The Criminal Act becomes the front door for services until next time. It became the daily police work.
We believe that the money placed on the firearms register would be much more useful to the work of the police if it was invested in mental health care, the supervision of patients who do not take their treatment and the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
We also believe that the creation of a register of shoulder weapons held by honest citizens is an unjustified erosion of our rights. We know from experience that it is better to always assume that there are weapons than to rely on a bureaucratic tool.
So if the objective is to help the police, the creation of a Quebec arms register misses the target and exposes very badly the real nature of the problems they encounter in the performance of their duties.
* 125. The provisions of this chapter shall apply without prejudice to the provisions of the code of ethics of the police of Quebec (Chapter P-13.1, 1), including those relating to the duty of political neutrality in the performance of their duties, the duty of reserve in the public demonstration of political opinions, the duty of discretion, the duty of impartiality in the performance of their duties and the Conflicts of interest. They shall also apply without prejudice to discipline rules. 12, a. 125.
Jean-guy dagenais, retired since 2011, Quebec security and Senator.
Dominique Corneau, retired since 2015, municipal police in saguenay, filed a memory in the National Assembly against the creation of the register, but the elected members refused to hear it in parliamentary committee.
Éric Létourneau, retired since 2013, Quebec security, Rouyn-Noranda.
Pierre Addy, retired since 1999, Quebec security, st-Jean on richelieu and Montreal HQ.
Germain roussel retired since 2012, Quebec security, matan1e.
Roland Side, retired RCMP.
Gordon Chicoine, retired sergeant since 2004, Quebec security, who worked half his career in indigenous circles.
Ronald Lussier, retired since 2005, Quebec security, Prowler and homicide investigator.
Henry Lafresnaye retired since 2006, Quebec security, Chandler.
Jacques Thomassin, retired captain, Quebec security, BAS-St-Laurent, gaspésie.
Claude Roussel, retired since 1995, RCMP in several Canadian provinces, including Quebec.
Odilon Emond, retired since 1998, has worked in three Canadian provinces, including Quebec.
Serge Bayard, retired policeman of the city of Huntingdon, 1980.
Alain Dallaire, retired 2016 RCMP. Investigation work organized crime 20/35 years.
Carol Dugas, retired Quebec Security Officer, Prowler, post manager. Caplan, QC.
Alain Beaulieu, retired in 2004, criminal investigator 14 years and lieutenant at sq.
David Joncas, retired from sq. 2017, supervisor, 40 years of service.
André Langlois, retired from the sq. 1995, big rocks.
Claude Cheff, retired from the sq. 2000, corporal of indigenous connections.
Michel Blackburn retired from the since 1996.
