The Institute for Strategic International Studies (ISIS) 2009 Opening Remarks by Deputy Director General Steven Chabot President Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police February 9, 2009
DA 08.02.2009
Good morning, and welcome to the 2009 Program of the Institute for Strategic International Studies, which is offered to you by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. Already, on day one, you are part of an impressive tradition. Upon completing the Program, you will become the fourth group of ISIS alumni, joining colleagues Canada-wide who have participated in past years. Under the leadership of Chief Larry Gravill (Retired) of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, CACP Board of Directors made the decision in 2002 to sponsor a comprehensive international work study program. From the outset the Program was designed to introduce up-and-coming police leaders to big policing issues. The Association is committed to learning, and this is why the international dimension has been so important. Policing in Canada does not take place in a cocoon. Canada is part of the international community, and whether the issue is terrorism, trans-national organized crime, or policing structures and resources, we have something to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions. Canadian police leaders are not, and cannot be, parochial. We need to satisfy our thirst to know how similar problems and challenges are being addressed by others. Our mindset must be one of inquiry, not satisfaction with the status quo. But the reality is that promising senior police leaders have limited opportunity to study international developments. The ISIS Program, which is supported by your home agencies, provides this opportunity. The aim is to stimulate the desire to seek the perspectives of others, to increase understanding of complex issues, and to explore different solutions to challenges faced by police. One can earn these things best by moving outside of one’s own range of experiences and knowledge. Those who have “graduated” from the ISIS Program say that these objectives were met. They count it as an enriching and expansive experience, both personally and professionally. I know that it will be equally rewarding for you. ***
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In 2003 participants in the International Best Practices Research Project looked elsewhere into • • • • • • trans-national organized crime, counter-terrorism, diversity practices, emerging crime trends, multi-jurisdictional policing models, and technology-based crime prevention.
Observations in each of these areas were identified as trends, which the individual teams then interpreted for their application to Canada. In 2006 the CACP Board of Directors asked the ISIS participants to turn their minds to the number one priority of the Association: a national framework for policing in Canada. The ISIS group brought forth recommendations for the Association on the development and adoption of a national policing strategy, built by police leaders and based upon a system of national standards of police service delivery. Last year, 2008, the ISIS team worked on the topic of policing capacity in Canada, considering the provocative question: scarce resources or infinite potential? The team made recommendations on leadership development, service delivery, human resources systems and strategies, technology and engagement and partnerships. All recommendations were based on the foundation principle of alignment of resources to roles and priorities. Again in 2009 the focus is close to home. The CACP Board of Directors identified this year’s topic, Countering Youth Violence and Radicalization in a Changing Canadian Society as a critical one, timely for the CACP and for Canada. First, it recognizes • • • • the rapid demographic changes that are taking place in our country, the social and economic stressors in mainstream society that contribute to lack of social connections with young people, the factors that cause youth to seek a sense of belonging, and the role of modern technologies in providing information to young people and shaping their views of the world.
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Second, it builds upon the work done to date by the CACP that places a focus on youth and marginalization. Three examples come to mind: 1. The Law Enforcement Aboriginal and Diversity project addressed barriers between police and ethno-cultural groups that have low levels of trust and confidence in public institutions. 2. The 2007 International Congress on Street Gangs put on by the Crime Prevention Committee addressed the issue of youth alienation. 3. And the 2008 Radicalization Prevention Project of the CounterTerrorism and National Security Committee pursued a similar theme. Now you are being asked to contribute to our shared knowledge about • youth radicalization, • its impact on the safety and security of our communities, and • innovative and successful approaches that have been applied to reduce the risks they pose and increase their ability to connect to mainstream society. *** The objectives and format of the ISIS Program follow the pattern of previous years: • • • • • • It is designed as an experiential learning medium. It combines workshops and seminars, travel and field study, and independent study throughout the Program. A final report is prepared for the CACP Executive and Board of Directors. There will be an opportunity to present the Program findings to the CACP membership. Participants’ learning outcomes are mapped using accepted competency models for police leadership in Canada. Prior knowledge is a requirement, based not only on policing but also on other executive development courses. ***
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The ISIS program for 2009 encourages you to stretch yourselves, to challenge your assumptions and to move aggressively beyond what you know. You will work with exceptional colleagues from police services across Canada. You will become a close team over the coming months. Your responsibility is to temporarily set aside your agency uniform, to step out of it and to examine a broader horizon by participating in a process that has proven to be effective for study of this kind. You will have to keep up with the rigorous pace of the program in order to meet the high expectations within a limited timeframe. In return, we promise you an unforgettable learning experience. You will come out of ISIS 2009 with a deep appreciation for the program content and the people with whom you will work. And speaking of the bigger picture, you will be bringing your findings to a broader audience who will listen carefully to what you say, beginning with your fellow CACP members. Your findings will go further. For our part, the CACP will want to use the knowledge you gain to advance our own mission of “leading progressive change in policing”. One way for us to do this is to take your findings to governments, our partners in community safety, and the Canadian public. You are in a position to influence positive change. Enjoy this experience. We look forward to hearing the results.
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