Doesn't require 'rocket science' to understand the threat
Calgary (16 August 2007) - The threat of violence in Canadian courtrooms is growing and more security is needed to protect court officials and employees, says a former RCMP commissioner.
Norman Inkster, commissioner from 1987 to 1994, told the Canadian Bar Association this week it does not take "rocket science" to understand the potential for intimidation posed by lawless groups and individuals.
"For example, there are more street gangs than there were 10 to 15 years ago," he said. "When one of their own is facing charges, they are more likely to use violence to address their frustrations."
He mentioned the case of a Winnipeg crown prosecutor threatened by an inmate
who had been convicted of robbery. The next day an attempted invasion occurred at the prosecutor's home. The individual was sentenced to two additional years in jail for making the threat and four others were later arrested in the same incident.
Inkster said the potential to pervert justice is obvious. Yet governments across the country have been responding in "patch work" fashion at best, he added.
While provinces don't like to pay for increases to security, Inkster said evaluat
ions should be carried out to see which courtrooms are at greatest risk and metal detectors should be used where warranted to screen for weapons.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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