Calgary Police Service members are “encouraged” to provide their name to the public, but only when an officer wants to, under new rules. Read More
The policy change, part of a 12-month pilot program, is meant to improve the safety of Calgary police officers and reduce the potential for “doxing”
The policy change, part of a 12-month pilot program, is meant to improve the safety of Calgary police officers and reduce the potential for “doxing”
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Calgary Police Service members are “encouraged” to provide their name to the public, but only when an officer wants to, under new rules.
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Part of a 12-month pilot program, the change is meant to improve the safety of Calgary police members and reduce the potential for “doxing,” where private information is released publicly with malintent, according to the service.
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Officers in the Calgary police public safety unit and downtown street engagement team are now allowed to wear only their regimental (badge) number, and will no longer be required to wear their name.
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“These members most commonly deal with protests where the risk of being doxed is increased,” said CPS in a statement. “If asked by a member of public can decide if they wish to provide their name — depending on the circumstances.”
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The regimental number is most important to provide, as its unique to every officer according to police.
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“If a member of public wanted to make a complaint about an officer, or wanted to follow up on an inquiry or interaction, they can still do so by providing the (regimental number),” said the police service.
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Doug King, an Mount Royal University criminal justice professor, said the move is less transparent than it could be ideally.
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“The police have to think through that notion,” said King, adding that it won’t open the door for police “malfeasance.”
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“I can’t foresee the grounds by which it would happen, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it gets ultimately tested in a court of law,” said King.
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Doxing can have harmful effect on officers’ families: police
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Complaints will still be handled through the CPS Professional Standards Section.
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“I also suspect that there’s been kind of pressure mounted within the police service to protect their officers more from the notion of doxing,” said King.
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The impact doxing can have on officers varies depending on what information people can find, said CPS.
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“It can be extremely impactful for not just the officers, but also potentially their families,” the statement read.
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Access to a full name and image can allow people to easily find information about an officer, in some case where they live, details of their spouse, the names of their children, what school or activities they participate in.
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“In the hands of someone intent on causing harm, that information can be extremely dangerous,” the Calgary Police Service said.