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Statement by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police on Recent Decision by
Correctional Services Canada on Serial Murderer Paul Bernardo
A recent decision by Correctional Services Canada (CSS) to transfer serial murderer Paul Bernardo from a maximum to medium security facility and to further deny the families of his victims, the French and Mahaffy families, the reasons why this decision was made shows a lack of sensitivity and misplaced priorities by the CSS. As police leaders, we believe that the rights of victims of crime and their families and loved ones must be prioritized and protected. The privacy rights of particularly violent and dangerous offenders (as declared by the courts) like Bernardo must never take precedent over the rights of victims. We join with many other groups in the policing community and with Canadians who believe that the rights of victims of violent crimes must be protected when decisions are made related to those individuals who have been convicted of often heinous, violent offences.
While we welcome CSS’s announcement that it will review the decision to ensure that it, "adequately considered victims”, we respectfully urge federal lawmakers, including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety, to take the necessary steps to ensure the decision related to Bernardo is reversed.
Ontario’s police leaders will continue to be advocates for the victims of crime, their families, and their loved ones.
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