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Noel Duignan MPP * Halton North Today I’d like to discuss an issue which has been receiving quite a bit of publicity lately. I’m referring to the wrk-to-rule campaign started by the Metro Police Association about a month ago to protest the Use of Force regulation. I’m going to talk first about the need to impose limits on lethal force and then about the overall implications of the job action by the police officers. I’m sure you’ve heard about some of the incidents in recent years where members of the police force have used firearms in some- what questionable circumstances. ‘You may remember the story of Dominic Sabatino, a man with a history of mental illness, who was shot to death after he lunged at an officer with a baseball bat. Police officers have the right to defend themselves. And they have a responsibility to protect the public. But they are also accountable to the communities they serve and it is not always necessary for them to use lethal force. Discussions with representatives of the police community on pro- posed amendments to the Use of Force regulation began in 1990. The process culminated in a two day session on the regulation con- tent in January of this year. On June 16 the Solicitor General released the Use of Force discus- sion paper. He also announced the establishment of a new Committee on Public and Officer Safety to make gecommnendaions on possible amendme! The tec was expanded to ensure a focus on both police and public safety. The new committee included organizations such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, The Black Action Defense Reasonable grounds Committee, and the Ontario Block Parents Association. The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Police Association of Ontario also partici- pated in the meetings held on July 8 and 9. Some of the amendments took effect on September 4. Police offi- cers are still allowed to use lethal force where they believe on reason- able grounds that it is necessary to do so to mee against loss of life or bodily But as ar Tai 1, police will be required to submit a use of force report whenever a handgun is Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, November 7, 1992 — Page 9 Queen’s Park Report: The police Use-of-Force issue drawn. They want the regulation rescinded. They claim that the new process will pose a threat to officer safety. But it’s hard to imagine a well- trained officer in a critical situation hesitating to draw or discharge his or her firearm because of a fear of paperwork. And the information collected from the reports will be used to improve training for the officers. This type of regulation has been in force in Halton Region other communities for many year: The new rules also deal with the issue of less-than-lethal-force options. These options must meet Aerosol weapons certain technical standards and include aerosol weapons. The Solicitor General has already endorsed the use of pepper spray. This is the type of force that could have been used against Dominic Sabatino. The new regulations — along with a commitment of $5.6-million by the government to the Ontario Police College — will address training needs to promote office safety. But the Metro police decided to "Must be accountable" work-to-rule. They’ve refused to wear caps and badges and to issue tickets. The officers are protesting against the reporting requirements. But they’re also demanding that any future meetings involve only the police and not the community- based organizations that participat- ed in the previous discussions. And they’re demanding that the province disband the Special Investigations Unit that looks into serious injuries or deaths that may have resulted from Police action. They’re trying to reduce the level of public involvement. 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