More Questions Than Answers in Policing Announcement
- NL NDP
- 19 hours ago
- 1 min read
For Immediate Release
August 21, 2025
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (MHA, St. John’s Centre) says yesterday’s government launch of a “Special Constables” pilot project raises more questions than it answers.
Dinn says relief for front-line officers sounds good and will probably free up officer time for training and other shortcomings identified in last month’s Auditor General report on RNC inventory and training. But, he says, he would like more information on whether these auxiliary officers will help with bigger concerns such as trust-building, deterrence, and community relations.
“The RNC is on shaky ground with many people, including women, Indigenous people, the queer community, and racialized individuals,” said Dinn. “At the same time, residents of many neighbourhoods feel they are being neglected by the RNC and aren’t doing enough to deter crime. Some residents have called for some form of community policing that would allow officers to be visible on our streets, to get to know people, and to see daily life first-hand; that would be a huge step.”
Dinn also questions how the special constables will be recruited.
“There was no mention of how these new hires will be identified,” he said. “Is the plan to make active efforts to reach out to communities that the RNC needs to strengthen relationships with, or are they just going to accept the first dozen people who apply? What criteria will they use to evaluate?
“I would expect at the very least a gender balanced squad of recruits, but if there is not significant involvement from other under-represented communities, this is not progress.”
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For further information, contact Jean Graham, p/t 709-749-1018 or jeangraham@gov.nl.ca