There's no doubt that the architecture has to be looked at to make it more relevant to the modern world. I think the present commissioner is probably wrestling with that. I think there is a world of difference between bringing in a 28-year-old or 29-year-old person to the Depot and making them a police officer, and bringing in an 18-year-old who lives in a paramilitary structure. They work side by each with other police forces where there are different life experiences.
It's going to be difficult to modernize and rejuvenate the force. It can be done and it must be done. I think we are in fact part of the solution here.
I'm sympathetic to Catherine Ebbs in terms of the comments, because we are what are called creatures of statute; we are what you make us. I've said before that I can't pretend to have a big long powerful arm if in fact it's cut off at the shoulder or if it's a puny little arm. You want more powerful or effective oversight to deal with these issues.
Only Parliament, through creating statutes, can give us those powers to make it more relevant. It's as simple as that. I'm glad you latched onto the issue with the tenacity that you have, but at the end of the day, if Parliament doesn't do it....
I can tell you in 1992 or 1993, I know in terms of my mandate, Peter Milliken, as an MP, put forward private member's legislation in response to a request for 33 legislative amendments. It was put forward in the second year that my commission was created. The then chair said, “This thing doesn't work”. There were 33 recommendations, and nothing has happened. Milliken tried once as a private member. Nothing has happened since. We have what we have because other things are obviously of greater priority.
So seize the moment.