(revised version)
(Apologizes – this article should have been classified as an editorial)
Editorial – If it’s not broke – don’t fix it.
Almost a week into the Cobourg Police Service’s media policy cracks are starting.
On Monday, February 14, 2022 Cobourg Police issued a release about the new policy.
The new police is as follows, “names of accused persons will only be released by Cobourg Police Service when it is in the interest of public safety, for investigative purposes or public interest (as determined by the Chief of Police or designate).”
“We work to maintain the appropriate balance among informing on matters of public safety, protecting victims, and upholding the right to a fair trial,” said Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf in the release.
Discussing it with VandeGraaf, Today’s Northumberland agreed in principle the changes may work.
But after the several press releases during the week, we believe the new policy won’t work for a community the size of Cobourg for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, Chief VandeGraaf is well respected by the officers and members of the public including Today’s Northumberland.
But given it will be the Chief or designate that decides whether a name will or won’t be released is something that shouldn’t happen.
Unless there is something that could identify a victim, all names should be released.
But, we understand given these times, if it is a charge under breaching conditions, it could be understood that may cause undo stress for the suspect and hinder their chance at rehabilitation.
Other than that, we believe that bad outweighs the good in the decision.
In short, media aren’t police and by the same token, police aren’t media.
The purpose of a press release is to inform the public for a number of reasons.
When it comes time for the budget each year, taxpayers know their money is being well spent of police who are getting results.
Secondly, to inform the public.
A release on Friday stated, police on patrol spotted a man rummaging through a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence.
As a result of police investigation, a 33-year-old Cobourg man was arrested and charged with theft Under $5,000 contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime contrary to Section 355(b) of the Criminal Code, Trespass by Night contrary to Section 177 of the Criminal Code, Mischief Under $5,000 contrary to Section 430(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.
If a person was walking home after a night out, fell and broke a window and was charged with public intoxication, no one would really be concerned with the persons name.
But if a person, as stated in the release is charged with four criminal code offences including trespass by night, people want to know and frankly deserve to know.
It’s personal.
Does the individual have a reoccurring problem of breaking into vehicles? We don’t know because the name isn’t released.
But for what the press release states, there is frankly no point to the release.
It’s informing the public a person has been arrested. But the public has a right to know in circumstances warranted the individuals name.
Anything that is considered a personal crime, whether it is your car, bicycle, shed or house that persons name should be released.
Another issue, over the years covering court in Cobourg, having your name in the public can be somewhat of a deterrence for committing crimes.
If that helps even in the smallest percentage – it’s worth it.
One of the reasons of having a media officer with any police officer is they are trained to properly write-up a press release.
There are certain key points during each release. One major point is to make sure that you don’t convict the suspect in a release.
“John Doe was driving drunk when he was pulled over by police.”
Police only charge the person given the evidence they are presented with. It’s up to the courts to decide is a conviction is warranted.
So it holds true that a press release needs to be written up properly – if the name is used.
But if there is no name attached to the press release, the Sergeant at the end of each shift could easily write-up a release and save the taxpayer thousands of dollars for having a media person.
(We are fully aware the media person does more than releases.)
If we go by the analogy that other police services are following the same procedure, we can compare it to the protest in Ottawa with the truckers. Just because many trucks were there protesting doesn’t mean you need to be apart of it.
One other issue that numerous people have brought to our attention and we have confirmed. The Cobourg Police Service no longer issues a media release about break and enters. They haven’t for a long time. They mainly only issue a release of criminal occurrences where suspects have been charged. Nothing about break and enters.
Again, we strongly believe this is a mistake.
Cobourg, Port Hope and surrounding areas are still relatively small communities.
For people that have lived in these communities for a number of years, they know the area.
When there is a break and enter, it’s important to release that so people can be vigilant.
Especially in their area.
Other communities like Peterborough, Oshawa or even larger may not issues releases regarding break and enters. That is their decision and given the number of people in their communities it may be the correct one.
But given people in Cobourg and Port Hope care about their towns, it would be very little work for police to issue releases regarding break-ins.
The scales of justice seem to be tipping in the wrong direction and have been for sometime.
Today’s Northumberland doesn’t believe they need more help.
If it’s not broke – don’t fix it and go back to the way it was.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
