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That is actually untrue. Special Constables can and do do more than just keep the peace and "perform safety functions" (a thread): https://twitter.com/OSCApresident/status/1288291809643442178
Special constables have many of the same powers as police. They can arrest and detain people and do, contrary to what some might say, carry weapons - they carry batons, pepper spray and handcuffs. 1/7 https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/buses-badges-and-a-bit-of-big-brother-a-night-with-ottawas-transit-cops
And as the 2015, @OttawaCitizen article above shows, they too have problems when it comes to race.
"Later, he dismisses a question about optics, as all six officers on scene that night were white and all three young men...ticketed earlier, were black." 2/7
"Later, he dismisses a question about optics, as all six officers on scene that night were white and all three young men...ticketed earlier, were black." 2/7
In fact, a 2009 report to the #Ottawa Transit Committee confirms that special constables aren't just there to "keep the peace" but also for fare enforcement. 3/
Further, the assertion that special constables keep students safe is questionable at best.
In 2019, Black Carleton Engineering student, Oritseserundede Eda was interrogated by a campus special constable who had believed he was breaking and entering. 4/7
https://charlatan.ca/2019/03/black-carleton-students-speak-out-about-racial-profiling/
In 2019, Black Carleton Engineering student, Oritseserundede Eda was interrogated by a campus special constable who had believed he was breaking and entering. 4/7
https://charlatan.ca/2019/03/black-carleton-students-speak-out-about-racial-profiling/
Eda mentioned this wasnt the first time this had happened.
Students at other universities have also been trying to fight the implementation of special constables on campus arguing that it makes students feel less safe, especially students of colour. 5/7 https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2020-05-31/editorials/special-constables-have-the-potential-to-make-students-feel-less-safe-not-more/
Students at other universities have also been trying to fight the implementation of special constables on campus arguing that it makes students feel less safe, especially students of colour. 5/7 https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2020-05-31/editorials/special-constables-have-the-potential-to-make-students-feel-less-safe-not-more/
Lastly, it's not like trying to get rid of special constables on transit/campuses hasn't been done before.
Last month, Toronto Clr @gordperks tried to pass a motion at TO City Council to scrap constables in their next budget. 6/7 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/06/30/council-rejects-call-to-eliminate-ttc-special-constables-votes-instead-to-review-unit.html
Last month, Toronto Clr @gordperks tried to pass a motion at TO City Council to scrap constables in their next budget. 6/7 https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/06/30/council-rejects-call-to-eliminate-ttc-special-constables-votes-instead-to-review-unit.html
“I really think that the upside of having people wander around with handcuffs and pepper spray… is so minuscule compared to the downside that we have been seeing all over North America in the last few months,” said Perks. 7/7
