Five issues raised Tuesday by Canadian police chiefs at their annual conference

OTTAWA — Five positions taken Tuesday by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police:

National security — Early intervention, education and public help is vital to prevent radicalization and extremism. “We cannot ensure public safety on our own. Public participation is vital.”

Cybercrime — Chiefs want a new law that would compel a person to turn over the password to an electronic device, as long as a judge approves. They say criminals operating in cyberspace are increasingly using tools to mask their identities, effectively “going dark.” 

Legalization of marijuana — Chiefs favour a regulatory framework to control the growth, cultivation and sale of marijuana and its derivatives. They also support licensed, government-approved producers as suppliers to ensure a safe product with known THC levels, free from pesticides or other drugs. Ensuring the ability to fight impaired driving will involve defining impairment, ensuring there are roadside testing tools and training more drug-recognition experts.

Missing and murdered indigenous women — Chiefs are committed to working with the national inquiry and helping provide closure to families. They say procedures involving missing persons, cultural awareness among officers, community outreach and education have become priorities of Canadian policing services. “We need to focus on examining the root causes of why these women and girls are the targets of violence.”

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Mental illness and street encounters — Policing alone cannot ensure the safety and well-being of communities. “We need collaboration,” said Mario Harel, chief of the Gatineau police service and new president of the chiefs of police.

The Canadian Press