cml2117 introduction to law, 2008 - lecture 23 - criminal law and police powers
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TRANSCRIPT
Today’s Lecture
Criminal Law:Police Powers
A Caveat
On Biased Perspectives,
or...
Every Perspective
has a Bias
Today’s bias:
Criticalwith a chance of
Leftism
How much powerdo the police have?
Can they break the law?
The law applies to everybody equally,
but
Special defences are available for police
Criminal Code, 1892; s. 31:
Police and their agents justified in using necessary force
necessary to overcome any force used in resisting
if not possible less violentlyto execute an arrest or warrant
Criminal Code, 1955; s. 25:
Police and their agents justified in using necessary force
necessary to overcome any force used in resisting
if not possible less violentlyto execute an arrest or warrant
Force intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm
Criminal Code, 1994; s. 25:
Anyone required or authorized to enforce law
justified in using necessary forcenecessary to overcome any force used in
resistingif not possible less violently
to execute an arrest or warrantForce intended to cause death or grievous
bodily harmlimited: serious offender fleeing, or escape
from jail
A pattern emerges
Broader justificationswith
More limitations
Scope of defences in practice
By Court: R. v. Finta, suspected war criminal
By Police: RCMP Commissioner Zaccardelli
Zaccardelli:
“As police officers we used to be able to do things under the common law that were acceptable. They weren’t illegal; they were accepted in our system as powers and as means the police needed to carry out their
duty in society.”
Why couldn’t they do these things anymore?
R. v. Campbell and Shirose
R. v. Campbell and Shirose,[1999] 1 S.C.R. 565
and the
Reverse Sting Operation
R. v. Campbell and Shirose,[1999] 1 S.C.R. 565
SCC: abuse of process by police
Aftermath of Campbell:
reverse sting operation law passed: CDSA reg SOR/1997-234, s. 16.police halt investigations involving
illegal acts
Zaccardelli:
“Since [Campbell], we can’t do that. We haven’t been doing that. This means there are criminal organizations that are profiting and taking advantage of what’s going on in society, as Chief Fantino has said. So I can’t send my police officer and pretend to be a smuggler or pretend to sell or buy illegal
goods.”
Parliament’s response:Bill C-24
said to be concerned with organized crimewritten in very broad terms
Added sections 25.1 to 25.4 to the Criminal Code
Broad immunity; Some limits and accountability
Applies to “designated officials”
Designation of 007 status
Cabinet member can designate officersCabinet member can designate senior
officials,Designated senior officials can give
“emergency designations”Immunity is extended to agents of police –
like whom?
What illegal acts are justified?
Essentially all acts and omissions,Including forcible confinement, kidnapping
and assault with a weapon
How are justifications limited?
actions reasonable and proportional in the circumstances
no death or bodily harm, wilful obstruction of justice, and conduct violating sexual
integrity of an individual
Controversy
Objections to limiting scope of immunity to exclude death; bodily harm; wilful
obstruction of justice; and conduct violating sexual integrity of an individual?
Solutions proposed:Public interest groups: narrow immunity defence
Police groups: eliminate the limitations
So, the Minister wants to designate an officer?Or the senior official wants to make an emergency designation?
Limitations on Designations
Allowance for limits on duration and investigationsNo requirement for such limits
Requirement for existence of authority to review acts of designated officersOnly for officers, not senior officials or emergency
desig.s
No requirement for review
Oversight and Accountability
No judicial authorization for designationsWeak requirement: report by officer to
senior: 25.2Not for serious acts under s. 25.1(8)
Weak notification req. for property damage: 25.4(1)
No compensation for damage
Annual report: 25.3(1)Only for emergency designations
Annual Report of Minister
Only for emergency designations by senior officials and approved property damage
No information about:Designations of officers by the Minister
Justified acts of police agentsJustified acts of officers
Exemption from reporting requirement:If report would compromise investigation, safety, a legal proceeding or would be against the public
interest
Next class…
• Murder and Defences: Sleepwalking as a case study
�R. v. Parks, linked on the website