U.S. wants exemption from Canadian law for cross-border officers, RCMP memo says

[Newsjock]

Source: Canadian Press

The United States wants its police officers to be exempt from Canadian law if they agree to take part in a highly touted cross-border policing initiative, an internal RCMP memo says.

The debate over whose laws would apply to U.S. officers working in Canada raises important questions of sovereignty and police accountability, says the briefing note prepared for RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson.

“Canadians would likely have serious concerns with cross-designated officers from the U.S. not being accountable for their actions in Canada,” it says.

... The so-called Next Generation policing project — whose pilots have yet to be finalized — would involve U.S. and Canadian officers working on each other’s turf to enforce the host country’s laws.

Read more: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/30/us_wants_exemption_from_canadian_law_for_crossborder_officers_rcmp_memo_says.html

[KT2000]

1. Don't do it Canada! n/t

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. They have wanted this since the 50's

US Immigration officers operating in Canada are led around unarmed by a local Canadian police officer who is armed. The issue always comes up in negotiations and is always dropped. They don't think it reflects well on their authoritah but there is no practical need for it.