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surveys / wardens
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Wardens
Should national park wardens carry handguns?
Earlier this year, the
wardens' union lodged a complaint under the Canada Labour Code, stating that
Parks Canada was failing to provide park wardens with the proper equipment
and training required for law-enforcement duties. A health and safety
investigation ensued, and in February, the investigator ruled that wardens
are increasingly at risk and should be provided with side arms. But Parks
Canada CEO Tom Lee, who is appealing the labour code ruling, has temporarily
suspended the enforcement responsibilities of all wardens and has contracted
out to the RCMP responsibility for law enforcement in the parks.
Lee believes that giving the wardens guns "will fundamentally change" the
organization, nudging it further in the direction of law enforcement and a
more hierarchical and disciplined police structure.
The labour code appeal is not expected to be heard for some months. In the
meantime, the RCMP has beefed up its detachments in and around all national
parks.
For the past year, Canadian Geographic has been reporting on the renewed
commitment by Parks Canada to the goal of ecological integrity. In feature
stories, we have examined the pressures on wildlife in the parks, the
stresses of rising visitation and the perils and pleasures of living next to
a national park. Through it all, we have invited readers to tell us about
their relationship to our national parks. Your responses, posted to our
website, have been passionate. Now we'd like you to take the time to tell us
what you think the role of the wardens should be.
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COMMENTS |
Jeffrey Jackson
Submitted:
Saturday, May 10, 2008
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While it seems the decision has been
made Canadians need to understand that
it's just one more step towards the slow
merger with the United States.
It has been my experience that the RCMP
has worked well in areas of criminal
complaint within the borders of our
national park. This would include the
need to investigate poaching.
Canada is slowly loosing its identity. How does adding more firearms better the
well being of our parks or canada as a
whole? |
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concerned canadian
Submitted:
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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I have recently picked up the Sept. 2001
issue and was reminded of the lenghty
process which insued over the last few
years.
With the decision now close to being
released, it will no doubt change the
face of parks canada forever. Instead
of other police agencies learning the
effective art of community policing
from the park wardens, who have been in
the law enforcement game longer than
any one else in Canada, the wardens
will have to follow the ways of the
other enforcement agencies.
Park wardens prime mandate was to
educate and then if it was felt
necessary would call upon their
enforcement powers. I fear that this
has now changed as they adopt to the
regimes of other enforcement agencies
who struggle in these community
policing endeavors.
I feel the park wardens were the
example of how enforcement should be
carried out. Armed with their
extensive knowledge (degrees and
masters)about what they were
protecting, and their public relations
skills, all they needed was the tools
and the little bit of training that
goes along with them, and not a revamp
of the entire program.
Sidearms are probably one the least
dangerous tools they have at their
disposal, but thanks to Hollywood there
is that wonderful stigma attached. |
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Joel Ladouceur
Submitted:
Sunday, February 25, 2007
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I absolutley agree that Park Wardens should be carrying firearms. Having worked as a Park Warden for the Provincial Government where I am not even issued body armour I have found myself in potentially dangerous situations, though I have never required a fireman, I imagine a national park warden out there sometime in the future or a park warden anywhere will find themselves in that situation, espicially working remote patrols where back up may be hours or in some cases a day away. I do not belive that a firearm will change peoples views of a warden who already wears equipment like body armour, carries and asp and handcuffs. At the end of the day however in any facet of law enforcement the best tool you have is on your shoulders not on your hips. |
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Richard Lamy
Submitted:
Saturday, February 03, 2007
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Re: Should National Park Wardens carry hand guns?
Investigative reporters/journalists take note...
The more interesting and valuable question to
ask (and answer) is: Why are Park Wardens not
provided with the full complement of protective
tools that are standard for peace officers with
public peace responsability throughout the
industry? |
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Vince
Submitted:
Monday, March 27, 2006
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This is a simple issue. We are talking about wardens; part of their duties include the protection of humans and wildlife alike. There are times when stupid humans interact with dangerous wildlife....If the wardens must get involved we should allow them a way to protect themselves. We allow the average citizen to run around the woods with nothing
but a $40.00
firearm acquisition certificate and a $40.00 hunting license. Surely we could allow or HIGHLY TRAINED Wardens the same luxury! |
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Peter
Submitted:
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
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As a Peace Officer and officer who is sworn to uphold the law, I think that it has to become obvious that they are NOT tour guides. This goes for many of Canada's Peace Officers who are not armed, and are put at extra risk due to the fact the people are worried about the Officer's approachability versus how the officer is able to protect themselves and the general public if need be. Unfortunately, the "Green Acres" era is long gone. I mean the days of leaving your house and car unlocked are gone, and we must come to realize, however reluctantly, that society is changing, not always for the better, and that the respect for the law and those who uphold it is greatly minimized. |
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