Features Editor’s Commentary
A new year with new responsibilities

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first issue of Blue Line 2022. I like to believe that the start of a new year gives everyone a fresh start; they can reinvent themselves, put a stop to bad habits, or focus on new routines. I like to think the same be said for the magazine; it’s the perfect time to try new things.

In 2022, Blue Line will be exploring a wide range of topics, including cybercrime, the use of force, gangs and organized crime, technology and innovation in policing, fraud, crime prevention, diversity and women in policing, firearms and First Nations policing. As this will be my first full calendar year as editor of Blue Line, I am excited to learn alongside you about what we can do to better the law enforcement industry, together.

This first issue of 2022 focuses on cybercrime, and the trends that law enforcement agencies have seen over the last few years. I had the opportunity to speak with Sgt. Caroline Duval (RCMP), Det. Cst. Kenrick Bagnall (Toronto Police Service Computer Cybercrime Unit), A/Sgt. Tim Molcsan-Spidel (Calgary Police Service Cybercrime Unit), and cybercrime and digital investigator Steven Wilson while writing this month’s cover story, “Policing cybercrime: Serving communities in a digital age”. Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in cybercrime, as cybercriminals have taken advantage of the large number of people working from their homes. In collaboration with these cyber experts, this article was written with the goal of providing law enforcement agencies with some core tips about cybercrime and how officers can better prepare their communities for potential cyber-attacks.

Now is the time to look back on the choices we made in our roles in the past, and how we can change for the coming year to help serve those around us.

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In another article, written by Cameron Field and Ian Goertz, the endless war against cybercrime is considered. As they so aptly put it, “The greatest casualty of the information age is our privacy”. The authors share the most important information about cyber security from the private-sector standpoint, and make suggestions on how partnership between the private sector and law enforcement will help their communities prevent cyber attacks.

A new year also provides us with a fresh perspective of our lives and our roles within the law enforcement industry. Some of this month’s articles pay close attention to those who hold leadership positions. Now is a great time to look back on the choices we made in our roles in the past, and how we can change to help serve those around us.

Chris Butler’s article, “Critical lessons for law enforcement managers” explores the correct approach to evaluating risk to officer safety and draws on a case study that involved the RCMP. Matthew Wood’s “Leading the way to better mental health: Addressing toxic leadership in policing” focuses on the officer’s mental state and how leadership might have affected that. Through these two articles, we see how officers must be taken care of both physically and mentally to succeed in their roles.

Another important thing to note in 2022 is the upcoming Security • Police • Fire Career Expo, taking place on March 1^st. If you know of anyone who is hoping to enter the law enforcement, firefighting or security industries, make sure to share this opportunity with them. This year’s event includes a keynote presentation, a mock interview panel and ample time for networking. Visit the website (www.emergencyservicesexpo.ca) for more information. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I’m looking forward to meeting the law enforcement industry’s newest possible recruits!

Correction: Blue Line’s December Q&A incorrectly stated there was only one female TAC team member in the Hamilton Police Service. There have been two: Sgt. Mary Sullivan and Cst. Margaret Couch.