NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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The Barrie Police Service (BPS) is inviting community members to participate in a Community Conversation Series that focuses on how technology and artificial intelligence can help with crime prevention, investigations, and overall public safety. The discussions will be held at the downtown Barrie library at 6:30 p. m. on March 17 and March 31. This series will feature a panel of experts discussing both the benefits and concerns surrounding these technologies to provide a well-rounded conversation. The first session on March 17 will highlight new technology, featuring speakers Ryan Fritsch from the Law Commission of Ontario, Shakir Rahim from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and BPS Chief Rich Johnston. Ryan Fritsch serves as legal counsel with the Law Commission of Ontario. He leads law reform projects that look into the effects of artificial intelligence within Ontario’s criminal justice system, workplace surveillance issues caused by technology, and updating consumer protection in today’s digital market. Ryan frequently speaks publicly and teaches law students at Osgoode Hall Law School and University of Windsor for over ten years. He is also working on his doctorate at Osgoode Hall, focusing on Canada’s data broker industry. Shakir Rahim is a lawyer who directs the criminal justice program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). He manages advocacy strategies aimed at protecting Charter rights in criminal law, ensuring police accountability, and defending prisoners’ rights. His role involves strategic litigation management along with public outreach, education, and engaging with policymakers across various forums. Before joining CCLA, Shakir practiced criminal law dealing with significant public interest cases, including co-leading efforts for an Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations concerning Toronto Police Service. Chief Rich Johnston took office as the 10th chief of Barrie Police Service on Dec. 22, 2022. With BPS since 1998, Chief Johnston has held multiple positions including uniform patrols, tactical support roles, operational support duties, and investigative services. He earned an honours bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Queen’s University along with a master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of Guelph as well as another master’s degree in applied criminology and police management from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). Chief Johnston joined senior command in 2018 as an inspector before being appointed deputy chief in 2021. In 2022 he was honored with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Leadership Award and was inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame at George Mason University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. The second session on March 31 will focus specifically on facial matching technology featuring panellists from Ontario Tech University including: Dr. Peter Lewis, associate professor of computer science and Canada research chair in trustworthy artificial intelligence Dr. Christopher O’Connor, associate professor of criminology and justice Dr. Kanika Samuels-Wortley, associate professor of criminology and justice as well as Canada research chair focusing on systemic racism within technology related to criminal justice Dr. Andrea Slane, professor specializing in legal studies These sessions aim to give attendees a chance to learn about proposed technologies while asking questions or sharing their thoughts openly. Community engagement is vital throughout this process. A public survey will be available prior to open house sessions so we can gather perceptions or concerns from residents which will be discussed during these events. “Technology can be a very effective tool in law enforcement and public safety,” said Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston. “Avoiding these advancements would be a disservice to our community. We are dedicated to being transparent about the tools we use and earning the public’s trust through open and respectful conversations.” If you can’t attend live sessions in person they’ll also be livestreamed online. Please check out Barrie Police. ca for more details regarding sessions including links to both survey participation options plus livestream access which will come soon after this announcement! The survey link is also available here: surveymonkey. com/r/BPSTechnology.
Dates: March 17 & March 31 ,2026
Time: Starts at 6:30 p. m.(Doors open at 6 p. m., so join us for light refreshments.) *************************
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BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
*************************
The Barrie Police Service (BPS) is inviting community members to participate in a Community Conversation Series that focuses on how technology and artificial intelligence can help with crime prevention, investigations, and overall public safety. The discussions will be held at the downtown Barrie library at 6:30 p. m. on March 17 and March 31. This series will feature a panel of experts discussing both the benefits and concerns surrounding these technologies to provide a well-rounded conversation. The first session on March 17 will highlight new technology, featuring speakers Ryan Fritsch from the Law Commission of Ontario, Shakir Rahim from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and BPS Chief Rich Johnston. Ryan Fritsch serves as legal counsel with the Law Commission of Ontario. He leads law reform projects that look into the effects of artificial intelligence within Ontario’s criminal justice system, workplace surveillance issues caused by technology, and updating consumer protection in today’s digital market. Ryan frequently speaks publicly and teaches law students at Osgoode Hall Law School and University of Windsor for over ten years. He is also working on his doctorate at Osgoode Hall, focusing on Canada’s data broker industry. Shakir Rahim is a lawyer who directs the criminal justice program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). He manages advocacy strategies aimed at protecting Charter rights in criminal law, ensuring police accountability, and defending prisoners’ rights. His role involves strategic litigation management along with public outreach, education, and engaging with policymakers across various forums. Before joining CCLA, Shakir practiced criminal law dealing with significant public interest cases, including co-leading efforts for an Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations concerning Toronto Police Service. Chief Rich Johnston took office as the 10th chief of Barrie Police Service on Dec. 22, 2022. With BPS since 1998, Chief Johnston has held multiple positions including uniform patrols, tactical support roles, operational support duties, and investigative services. He earned an honours bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Queen’s University along with a master’s degree in leadership studies from the University of Guelph as well as another master’s degree in applied criminology and police management from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). Chief Johnston joined senior command in 2018 as an inspector before being appointed deputy chief in 2021. In 2022 he was honored with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Leadership Award and was inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame at George Mason University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Crime Policy. The second session on March 31 will focus specifically on facial matching technology featuring panellists from Ontario Tech University including: Dr. Peter Lewis, associate professor of computer science and Canada research chair in trustworthy artificial intelligence Dr. Christopher O’Connor, associate professor of criminology and justice Dr. Kanika Samuels-Wortley, associate professor of criminology and justice as well as Canada research chair focusing on systemic racism within technology related to criminal justice Dr. Andrea Slane, professor specializing in legal studies These sessions aim to give attendees a chance to learn about proposed technologies while asking questions or sharing their thoughts openly. Community engagement is vital throughout this process. A public survey will be available prior to open house sessions so we can gather perceptions or concerns from residents which will be discussed during these events. “Technology can be a very effective tool in law enforcement and public safety,” said Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston. “Avoiding these advancements would be a disservice to our community. We are dedicated to being transparent about the tools we use and earning the public’s trust through open and respectful conversations.” If you can’t attend live sessions in person they’ll also be livestreamed online. Please check out Barrie Police. ca for more details regarding sessions including links to both survey participation options plus livestream access which will come soon after this announcement! The survey link is also available here: surveymonkey. com/r/BPSTechnology.
Event details
Location: Downtown Barrie library, 60 Worsley St.- Angus Ross RoomDates: March 17 & March 31 ,2026
Time: Starts at 6:30 p. m.(Doors open at 6 p. m., so join us for light refreshments.) *************************
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