Focus should be on mental health supports to save police lives

If the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police wants to better protect officers in the wake of a string of cop killings across the country, focusing on bail reform is probably not the answer.

Only one of the eight police officers in Canada fatally shot or stabbed in the line of duty since September was allegedly killed by someone released on bail. Four of the deaths occurred when police responded to calls that involved a suspect struggling with mental illness, none of whom were out on bail.

Association president Danny Smyth, who is also Winnipeg’s police chief, sent a letter to provincial premiers this week with an urgent plea to discuss bail reform. He wants government to make it tougher for courts to grant bail for repeat, violent offenders who are charged with new offences.

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