Summary of "Interview 6 Police in Uniform"

Interview with Chief Larkin: The Evolving Role of Policing in Canada

The interview with Chief Larkin offers an in-depth discussion on the changing landscape of policing, focusing on police discretion, community relations, recruitment, training, and the future of law enforcement in Canada.

Motivation and Role of Police

Chief Larkin’s interest in policing began in elementary school, inspired by a community-focused officer who emphasized safety and engagement. His career has been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the community rather than focusing solely on arrests or enforcement.

Policing is viewed as a tool for:

Community development
Addressing root causes of crime
Promoting social justice

Police Discretion

Discretion is fundamental to democratic policing, allowing officers to decide how to handle situations based on context. However, it is a double-edged sword:

It can foster justice and empathy.
It can also lead to inconsistencies and social injustices.

Examples include discretionary decisions in cases like shoplifting driven by economic hardship or addiction. Discretion must be balanced with accountability and proper governance.

The youth criminal justice system embraces discretion through diversion programs, recognizing the importance of second chances.

Use of Force and Policing Culture

Use of force training traditionally implies that force will be used, but there is a growing emphasis on de-escalation and public safety models.
Officers are encouraged to adapt their response like a “dimmer switch,” knowing when to escalate or de-escalate.
Organizational culture plays a crucial role; policies alone cannot change entrenched practices.
Talent acquisition should focus on ethical, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent candidates, not just demographic representation.
Diverse recruitment—including gender, ethnicity, and backgrounds—enriches policing perspectives and improves service delivery, especially in sensitive units like family violence or youth protection.

Community Relations and Legitimacy

Police legitimacy varies across communities:

Some communities seek safety and enforcement.
Others feel over-policed or surveilled.

Policing should be part of a broader, integrated public health and social service approach, rather than the primary responder to social issues such as mental health or addiction.

Building trust requires:

Listening and vulnerability
Partnership with communities, especially marginalized groups
Transparent explanation of police actions
Ongoing dialogue to rebuild relationships

The role of police is often reactive to systemic failures in education, health, and social services.

Training and Education

Current police training in Ontario (13 weeks at the Ontario Police College) is considered insufficient given the complexity of modern policing.
There is a need to shift from “training” to “education” that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and understanding of social issues.
Police education should integrate more academic rigor, including university-level studies in justice, public policy, and social sciences.
Training should emphasize de-escalation tactics, mental health crisis intervention, and alternatives to force.
The system should evolve to allow recruits with higher education to progress more efficiently.

Advice for Future Police Officers

Chief Larkin offers the following guidance for prospective officers:

Engage in deep self-reflection about your motivations.
Understand that policing is a challenging, people-centered profession requiring resilience, empathy, and a commitment to service rather than power.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Recognize your role within the democratic justice system.
Embrace reform, transformation, and integration with public health and social services.
New recruits bring fresh perspectives and are key to driving positive change.

Presenters/Contributors

Chief Larkin — Interviewee, police chief
Interviewer — Name not provided; likely an academic or researcher connected to a university policing or justice studies program