Police group calls for re-think of photo radar after Surrey Mountie hurt

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – A group trying to unionize Mounties says photo radar would make things safer for members. That’s the feeling after an RCMP member was seriously hurt while stepping into traffic late Monday on the Pattullo Bridge — trying to flag down an apparent speeder.

Rob Creasser with the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada says it’s not his group’s place to tell communities whether or not to bring back photo radar. However, he says there’s no question that tool makes it safer for police officers enforcing traffic laws. “I think that’s a decision the public has to make,” says Creasser. “It’s much safer to be inside of a van as opposed to placing yourself in the travel portion of the highway.”

Creasser suggests the move away from photo radar was political, rather than a decision factoring in officer safety. “I think there were enough people that weren’t happy with photo radar that led to its demise,” says Creasser. “Whether they felt it was an unfair way of dealing with offenses, or there were too many issues in a courtroom to try and prove various charges — I can’t speak for the public — but I think there was a reason it disappeared.”

The incident in Surrey on Monday night is not completely isolated. Last February a Vancouver Police officer was injured in similar circumstances on the Knight Street Bridge.

“It was a political decision to remove [photo radar],” says Creasser. “I still believe there’s intersection cameras out there, and they do add to safety at intersections. Many people categorized photo radar as a cash grab. I don’t believe that was the case.”

NEWS 1130 contacted the RCMP for further clarification for their stance on photo radar. You can read the full statement below.

“While I can’t speak to the Surrey incident, I can tell you that regardless of whether they work in a general policing capacity or part of a traffic unit, RCMP officers conducting any traffic enforcement must be mindful of police or public safety.

Safety precautions must be taken to ensure the protection of the public and the police such as wearing high-visibility vest or jacket while outside a police vehicle and activating emergency equipment when stopping a vehicle and throughout the contact. Officers must also perform a continuous risk assessment when stopping and approaching a traffic violator. This assessment includes, but is not limited to, the design and conditions of the road, the weather and traffic volume.

The RCMP also fully recognizes there are multiple dangers and risks that comes with performing all policing duties. Traffic or transportation (ie. motor vehicle collisions, boating, air services) related incidents remain the highest cause of death for those members of our force that have lost their lives in the line of duty.

With respect to photo radar, that is not a decision that is within the responsibilities or authorities of the RCMP. It lies with the provincial government.”

RCMP Staff Sergeant Annie Linteau