The chief of police in Chatham-Kent says the new, tougher federal bail reform introduced on Thursday is a good step forward, but more works needs to be done.
Chief Kirk Earley told CK News Today more details and study are needed to fully know the impact of the new bail reforms and sentencing standards.
Earley said he's happy the onus is now on violent and repeat offenders to prove they should be released on bail instead of the prosecution to deny bail.
"Absolutely, I think there's going to be some positives from this and it will assist as we move forward. To what extent is hard to say because we haven't got down to the details yet," said the chief.
Under the proposed amendments, the accused would be required to clearly demonstrate that their bail plan is reliable and credible in order to be released on bail.
Earley said he is also glad to see more protection for first responders with proposed stiffer sentencing for assaulting them.
"With the amount of weapons that are being used out there and the amount of weapons that we see nowadays, the serious crimes, they're getting more violent," Earley noted.
Earley said he also fully supports the proposed changes directing courts to consider consecutive sentences for offenders with prior convictions for violent crimes.
"Do I think it's going to help those who are passed the rehabilitation point, yes. I think it's important to keep those who are extremely violent and dangerous off the streets. It's a tough balance though when you have those who maybe could still be rehabilitated and having them in jail non-stop is not going to help that," Chief Earley said.
The proposed amendments would allow consecutive sentences for violent and repeated auto theft, break and enter, extortion, and arson, meaning serving one sentence after another instead of serving sentences for multiple offences at the same time.
Earley said he would like to see changes to address repeat offenders of smaller non-violent crimes, such as break and enters, which is a big problem in Chatham-Kent.
Other bail reforms include ending house arrest for certain sexual assault and child sexual offences, restoring driving prohibitions for criminal negligence causing bodily harm and death and manslaughter, and strengthening fine enforcement.
Chief Earley also looks forward to working with the federal and provincial government to have the necessary police officers, prosecutors, courts, and jails to help make the community safer.
The federal government noted further changes will be coming in the next few months to address court delays, strengthen victims’ rights, better protect people facing sexual and intimate partner violence, and keep children safe from horrific crimes.
