While the crowd at this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome RCMP Corporal Steve Davidson and Constable Dan Banhan was small, the conversation was rich and fascinating. After our Acknowledgement and a chance for all participants to introduce themselves, Dan shared with us his “excitement and delight” over the unique experience policing on Salt Spring had offered him. His first posting after graduating, our tight knit and caring community provided him with clear understanding of the wonders of community policing where helping is as big a part of his job as catching the criminals. Later in our conversation, we also learned that Dan’s posting on Salt Spring had given him ample opportunities for in depth criminal investigations as well as his everyday community outreach role.
Steve shared his “excitement and delight” with his role on Salt Spring addressing the needs of our community in dynamic, changing times. With a young family, Salt Spring has been a perfect fit for Steve, allowing him to also become deeply involved in our community.
Surprising for some, both Steve and Dan are soon to be posted somewhere else, both having spent the allotted four years on Salt Spring. As you may know, Salt Spring has been designated a Limited Duration Posting primarily due to geographical location, the high emotional demands, intensive on-call schedules, and unrelenting scrutiny that officers face while working in our tight-knit, island community. While a one-year extension to this four-year posting is relatively common, additional year extensions become rarer and rarer as the duration of the positing increases. While some see this rule as archaic, it is also understandable that Salt Spring officers face particular challenges by being known throughout the community, never able to order a meal or shop at the grocery without being stopped for a policing conversation or question. Our RCMP team is, quite literally, on duty 24/7 when needed, quite unlike urban postings when there is a far higher degree of anonymity.
While approaching a full compliment of officers, our force will soon see many changes. The departure of Steve and Dan will also bring new constables, including two new recruits, one already here, Constable Steven Wu and another – a woman! – soon to arrive. Steve and, before him, Sgt. Clive Seabrook, have been advocating for a female RCMP member to be posted to Salt Spring, and that is now going to happen. Her arrival is a successful step in the right direction.
This forced Limited Duration transfer became a big issue for many when Sergeant Clive Seabrook, already having received a one year extension, applied to again extend his posting here last fall. He had bought a home, his children were thriving, and the community loved him. Many asked why, when we had such a good match, did he have to leave? As a result of a motion at the Local Community Commission, a letter was even written to the District Superintendent asking for Clive to be allowed to stay at least an additional year. That conversation was paused when Clive took a temporary leave. When he returns to command, it is expected that this conversation will resume.
Throughout our time together, both Steve and Dan acknowledged the values and approach Clive brought to his role, determined that everyone has rights – and no one has the right to interfere with the rights of others. While our RCMP team all deserve credit for their community policing role, Steve acknowledged that Clive’s values and kindness had guided the entire detachment in its respectful and collaborative approach.
Participants remembered a Centennial Park less than five years ago where drinking and unruly dogs abounded and mothers with small children at the playground were far less prominent. This shift did not happen magically. It is the result of both strategic RCMP intervention as well as other positive community initiatives:
- RCMP: When a rowdy crowd forms, officers are there, first chatting with those in the park, building upon the already-established relationship with them. In the instances in which this does not stop the rowdy behaviour, RCMP officers have a clearly-defined set of escalating consequences for repeat rowdy park users, beginning with a ticket. While these tickets are too often ignored, they create the needed record of offenses. When offenses are repeated often enough, a park ban can be imposed. If this is ignored, rare instances of arrest and prosecution are possible. In Steve’s opinion, this clear set of expectations delivered with respect has made a big difference in allowing our parks to be enjoyed by all.
- Community Initiatives: While these clear, fair RCMP expectations have been a major factor in reducing park incidents, Steve acknowledged the enormous positive impact Chuan’s Phoenix Landing, the Drake Road supporting housing complex, and the Ambassador Program have had making it possible for all to enjoy Ganges. With the supportive housing at Drake Road and the nearby welcoming space created by the Chuan Society, those who once only had parks in which to gather now have choices. Steve also acknowledged the Ambassadors walking about Ganges with a smile and a greeting as another major factor in the satisfying progress concerning our parks.
While this sounds pretty perfect, we were reminded that policing is often not a likable job. Many of the daily interactions are with those at their wits end, having the very worst of days and often lashing out in anger and despair. While sometimes not criminal, addressing the acting out of this deep frustration can be a big part of an officer’s job, constantly balancing freedom of speech with the duty to protect. We learned that all in uniform have a camera that will be turned on during calls. (It flashes green when off; red when recording video and sound.) Steve finds these cameras very helpful clarifying exactly what happened. With frequent complaints, these recordings provide solid data about incidents without the emotional subjectivity so often colouring an incident.
When asked what can be done with someone so inebriated as to be unable to function, we learned that, if family and friends are not available to help, officers must be assigned to monitor them in a cell, often requiring calling them in from break. Many larger communities have detox spaces where they can be monitored and cared for while they sober. Without one on Salt Spring, these drunken events, while not all that frequent, can be a serious drain on local RCMP resources.
Many incidents have a strong mental health component. After much hard work by Clive and carried on by Steve, there is now a formal relationship between Island Health and the RCMP offering a crisis nurse who can be called (with the permission of the individual) to help after an incident as well as provide needed follow-up. A major step forward, we learned that this program is successfully making a difference.
With seldom an ASK Salt Spring without mention of the need for housing, this gathering was no exception.You got it. . . recruiting to Salt Spring is made even more difficult due to the scarcity of housing. While there is one RCMP-owned house on Salt Spring, we learned that some other communities have multiple rental options for their recruits. Naturally, participants questioned “Why can’t we have more?” While Steve told us that this was a decision made by upper management, it was clear that some participants would ask those questions of decision-makers, hoping for more RCMP-owned homes on Salt Spring. Stay tuned. . . .
As our time together was nearly over, we asked about criminal activity here. It is here, much of it hidden, but still dangerous and disturbing. When Steve and Dan were personally asked what crime(s) they would most like to see eradicated, they agreed:
- Domestic Violence, and
- Those who take away the innocence of children.
While not more prevalent here than in other communities, both Steve and Dan agreed that there is zero tolerance for this in our community.
As we were about to leave this fascinating conversation, a participant asked what could be done if we observe disturbing behavior. The answer was immediate: call the office: 250-537-5555. When someone is in trouble, our RCMP’s role is to respond to that call for help. With that, we bid a fond farewell, to Dan and Steve, so impressed with their clear understanding of the law balanced by patience, kindness, respect. . . and unrelenting hard work in difficult situations.(With our thanks to Steve and Dan for joining us as well as gratitude for the entire Salt Spring RCMP Members and Staff.)
Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has also been reviewed by Steve.