(ctvbc.ca) – A Vancouver-area RCMP officer caught drinking and driving twice in just over a month has now been charged with six offences.
Vernon James Wilson is charged with two counts of dangerous driving, impaired driving causing bodily harm, causing an accident and driving over .08.
All charges stem from an October 3 accident on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.
Wilson, who was off-duty, was arrested after he lost control of his vehicle on the bridge and crashed into a barrier. Two passengers suffered minor injuries.
The 54-year-old was picked up again November 7 near a beach on the west side of Vancouver and charged with driving while prohibited.
The officer is based in the RCMP’s Vancouver headquarters and works in the unit that protects diplomats. He was reassigned to administrative duties in October.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tim Shields called Wilson’s arrest “very disappointing.”
“We all know better and we can do better.”
Calvin, in respect to the question you asked DT and myself in regards to training, I would have to say that issue was not brought up by either one of us. It was confused who raised the point about training to try and counter DT’s argument regarding entrance requirements of natives.
But, to answer Calvin’s question the answer is training has nothing to do with an impaired driving charge. But, that isn’t the issue. The reality is that the cadets who perform the worst at Depot are visible minority females. I once heard it said that in respect to hiring quota’s female natives are the most sought after group, followed my native males, minority females, minority males, white females and finally white males.
There are some very good minority members that serve with distinction. The problem is not with minorities, it is a problem with the system that lets too many of the wrong type in.
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“I don’t think trying to link this situation with the hiring programs is valid. ”
Well Calvin, it is indeed valid and relevant. Why do you have hiring policies and practices in the first place? The corollary of hiring persons without any standards or policies or substandard ones is self evident, from personal to professional behavior. And yes the same applies to white, green, french, Latvian, brown, red or purple individuals, if the standards were relaxed just for them. I would have thought this point would be quite clear. If you interpret the discussion to be about race then you are indeed incorrect. The fact is there are/were government directives with respect to hiring, and the fact is it is not a practical solution nor fair to all concerned, especially the public. I believe johnnyg has stated that he has seen issues. Try substituting “persons with certain attributes” for the phrases: “native hiring program” or “minority hiring”, vis a vis lower threshold for hiring.
It is not a stretch to imply that if one cannot conduct ones self properly “off duty” then there will be issues “on duty” and vice versa. Is that not the premise for background investigations to determine the type of individual you are hiring in order to fit a certain profile of your hiring policy?
If your student cannot grasp the intricacies of quantum physics, perhaps they should try biology. You do no service to academe by subsidizing persons to acclimatise to physics because they are of a certain category and want to try quantum mechanics.
“My only question for JG and DT is this. If the accused was not on duty at the time, how do you connect it to his training. Please help me understand how an arrest for impaired driving while off duty is connected to his standard of training?”
Your question misinterprets the posts. If your hiring is sub standard, this does not mean the person cannot pass training. I would suggest they may be the ones who are borderline, and given special dispensation due to some program ( as referred to by johnnyg in previous threads). Or perhaps the ones that caused you to hold your collective breaths. I do not think you would disagree with the aggregate conclusion that if you set a very high standard in your hiring policies and practices, and continue that in your training regimen, REGARDLESS of race, color, etc., your end product will be of an enviable level of personal and professional grade into the given profession.
Re read my post: “There is no racial bias in close examination of hiring practices that are driven by policies that negate qualifications, ability, and aptitude. When the proverbial “bar” is substantially lowered to include individuals, strictly to appease some arbitrary quota set to appease a nebulous purpose, the institution suffers.”
And: “Race has nothing to do with it.”
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Was he hired under the native hiring program which meant his entrance was not of the same standard as others?
DT
Confused. I think I can speak for Deep throat here when he talks about the naive hiring program. Just because the training is the same doesn’t mean that many natives are fit to be cops
JG
“Wilson, who was “off-duty”, was arrested after he lost control of his vehicle on the bridge and crashed into a barrier”.
Quote
I don’t think trying to link this situation with the hiring programs is valid. If this individual was on his tour of duty and messed up an investigation or neglected to perform a duty related function your argument would be weak. Because the training program failed as a whole does not mean that every first nation person is a substandard police officer who graduated from that program.
Using your argument, the same would be true for the white police officers who were brought in on a covert program (wink and nod) because they were related to RCMP Members. Some became good police officers; others did not.
This would also extend to the white police officers that had their contracts terminated at Depot because of disciplinary problems; only to have them return a few months later. I bet you never heard of that program. Maybe they learned their lesson and became fine RCMP officers.
The hiring practices have always been geared to the image of the RCMP. Women, Non-White People, French, English, Gay, and on it goes. All the programs were created and sanctioned by the white power structure.
The recent program on TV regarding the RCMP stated that the force was run by white males and the majority of cadets were white males.
Enough with white people did this, and natives did that, and your group is qualified and mine is not. We should get over the silliness of it all. Hold individual members accountable for their actions. Terminate, discipline, or reward the individual RCMP member.
My only question for JG and DT is this. If the accused was not on duty at the time, how do you connect it to his training. Please help me understand how an arrest for impaired driving while off duty is connected to his standard of training? Are you saying that every member of the RCMP who is charged with impaired driving graduated from a flawed training program at Depot, or just first nations people?
Calvin Lawrence
CGL Consulting
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There is no racial bias in close examination of hiring practices that are driven by policies that negate qualifications, ability, and aptitude. When the proverbial “bar” is substantially lowered to include individuals, strictly to appease some arbitrary quota set to appease a nebulous purpose, the institution suffers. The RCMP is a prime example of interference in hiring practices. You now have all manner of bleating from various “talking heads” with respect to bad conduct, training issues, mentoring issues, ethics and the lot. Only a buffoon would not consider hiring practices forced on the RCMP as a non factor.
RCMP members have a vast array of services at their disposal, and it is all FREE. Dry out clinics, diet programs, fitness specialists, substance abuse counseling, psychologist services (in some cases mandatory), medical services, legal advice, in house support program, and UNLIMITED sick time, mandatory critical incident debriefing, just to name some.
There is no excuse for someone who willfully ignores the availability of services, or once avails themselves of such services, proves unworthy of continued employment by continuing the behavior.
Race has nothing to do with it.
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Confused. I think I can speak for Deepthroat here when he talks about the naive hiring program. Just because the training is the same doesn’t mean that many natives are fit to be cops. It is simple. It’s quantity not quality that is considered. There are proportionately more opportunities for natives (especially in the past) to join than Caucasians. In the process the bar gets set lower. Things a caucasian would get rejected or thrown out of training for, a native necessarily wouldn’t. It is a dirty secret that no one talks about, much let alone the government. They turn their head and pretend nothing is wrong.
I do think confused has a point though. I do think the RCMP could do better in helping their own people.
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Fine and dandy to take the attitude of this members ethnic identity into question! He is no different than any other color or race of human being who has entered the RCMP, he is as human as you and I. They all do the same amount of training, courses and live in the same dorms in the REGINA training base, so why would that matter? As this member has been identified as being with the RCMP for over 10 yrs., what would be the significance of his race in society? Are uyou assuming that all NATIVES have a drinking problem, or can’t function as competent/high scoring educationally as the next caucasion? What remains a big mystery is, ” Where is the RCMP Officials when Intervention is needed?” The problem at hand in the WHOLE of the RCMP is getting sick, “What are they doing to take care of their MEMBERS? ” “The RCMP’s families are hurting and separating and divorcing left, right and center, What are they doing about it?” They(RCMP/Govt) should be HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE for making sure the MEMBERS & their families, are being taken care of at least every two/three years! INTERVENTION,,,,, Mandatory Counselling, mandatory time off….. No wonder members are so messed up, & can’t cope because they have no self care initititives for themselves or their families. All RCMP families across this country should rally the GOVT/RCMP to get a better healthier program together for the upcoming young RCMP Members so they don’t go through what this RCMP Watch is looking for in Members. IT is So negative. no direction. no humanity . We need to get positive feedback for members who suffer because of the job. Mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. the members are in an all out battle with no real support……….Come on Canada….get on board & start supporting a healthier RCMP Team to serve and Protect!!!!!!!!!!
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Before you assume that the RCMP failed him, you would have to address some questions that are relevant to the situation. Was he hired under the native hiring program which meant his entrance was not of the same standard as others? Was he previously identified as abusing alcohol and sent to a program? Was he moved from regular duties to guarding diplomat houses because it is far less stressful than where he was? Did he receive reasonable assistance and guidance?
What efforts did he make to ensure his own success or failure? Is policing the late life career he should be in?
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