By Adaku Huggins-Warner
Adaku is a volunteer journalist with the FOCUS Media Arts Centre

Journalist Minerva Navasca interviews historian Max Mishler about the origins of policing in Canada and their direct ties to systematic racism.

Max Mishler traces the history police in two strands; 1) to the Medieval city when controlling newcomers or foreigners within the walls first became a priority;  and 2) the one that is tied to the history of slavery and bound labour. And so the pursuit public order becomes entwined and inextricable with the policing of blackness.

While slavery and colonization have long since ended in Canada it is clear that present day policing continues to echo many of the same historical themes that oppressed indigenous and black people back in the day. Police forces continue to play a role in protecting the interests of rich, white Canadians by attempting, often intentionally and perhaps sometimes subconsciously, to control and suppress indigenous and black people. There can be no doubt we have a long way to go before we have a fair, just and equal society with a police force that matches those values as well.