Silence can be deafening, but after taking 24 hours to get its act together, the local RCMP proved it's not tone deaf.
Prince George RCMP Supt. Brenda Butterworth-Carr delayed by a day her reaction to a report by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) on policing in the North, which took the local detachment to task for several incidents.
Prince George was among 14 communities in which problems were identified.
On Thursday morning, Butterworth-Carr invited media to hear her reaction to the report and stayed until every question was answered.
"The biggest thing to convey is that as an RCMP detachment, we were always open to feedback," said Butterworth-Carr.
She stressed feedback is one of the tools the local detachment uses to plan and improve policing services for Prince George.
The superintendent said her only serious complaint with the report was the way it characterized her as providing the BCCLA with inaccurate information regarding about a meeting with Aboriginal leaders.
The report stated they could not find evidence that such a meeting took place.
"From my perspective that couldn't be further from the truth."
She said she spoke with Aboriginal leaders and selected a civilian-oversight group, which had been suggested by the BCCLA.
"When [the BCCLA] sought further clarification as to whom I spoke to, I wasn't prepared to provide that information."
The incident the superintendent was referring to was a situation where a native woman complained she was sexually assaulted while being arrested.
Butterworth-Carr said she felt her sources within the community deserved to remain anonymous.
"Who my advisory members are is something that's held in confidence. I need to have that [kind] of relationship with them and they [must] feel confident and comfortable interacting with me."
That being said, Butterworth-Carr highlighted the weight police place on public perception.
"I think it's very important that we are providing a very thorough and transparent investigation."
Butterworth-Carr reiterated all complaints listed in the report were taken "very seriously" and investigated.
"This may sound a little goofy, but I welcome complaints, complaints are a form of feedback. It allows for the detachment to adjust services if we have to. And it lets me know what the men and women are actually doing on the road."
She said morale was high among local officers and good morale would lead to good policing.
"I can't speak for previous administrations," said Butterworth-Carr, but she added she was proud of her detachment.
With the recent announcement of her promotion to a post with the RCMP in Ottawa, Butterworth-Carr was questioned about the future direction of the force.
"There's a commitment from Ottawa, from E Division, from the men and women of the detachment [to continue to see progress] because we recognize that we need to do business differently."
She also said the mayor and council will have direct hand in the hiring of the new superintendent and they will have an opportunity to help ensure the detachment continues to succeed.Video of the news conference is in the Citizen Video section of this website.
