literacy and policing in canada

a focus group was held in thunder bay last month about targeting crime with literacy. input from frontline officers, supervisors, and investigators contributed to establishing the roles the police play when dealing with civilians who may have literacy challenges. this literacy project from the canadian association of chiefs of police identifies:

A high percentage of people who are convicted of criminal offences have low literacy skills. Low literacy can prevent a person’s understanding of the criminal justice system and processes. The Literacy and Policing project is developing police training materials to increase police effectiveness in communicating with all those who come into contact with the law: victims of crime, suspects, witnesses and the general public. This fall, learning materials will be available online to all officers across the country.

canadian local police services can get involved by contacting the co-chair of the crime prevention committee:

dorothy ahlgren-franklin
(613) 725-1555
frankly@magma.ca