Four years and two private member bill introductions later Bill C-444 is now law after receiving Royal Assent on June 19.
Bill C-444, an amendment to the Criminal Code that would bring in penalties of up to five years for impersonating a police officer for the purpose of carrying out a crime, was originally put forth by Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen who brought the private member's bill forward a victim and her mother approached him four years ago.
“I am pleased that my private members legislation has officially become law,” said Dreeshen during a media briefing at the Penhold Multiplex.
Dreeshen, who previously introduced similar legislation in the House of Commons in October of 2010, and again in September 2012, said he was thankful for the support he received from every corner of Canada.
“My support included my administrative staff, my colleagues in Parliament from every party, the Senate, community members across our country, and the Canadian Police Association,” said Dreeshen. “This would not have happened if the family of the young woman who was assaulted did not come forward and ask me to make sure something positive resulted. Today, it did.”
Gerald John Baumgarte, then 57, was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of kidnapping, sexual assault, and assault with a weapon, confinement, and impersonating a peace officer, using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence and assault using a knife. He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for his crimes.
Baumgarte posed as a police officer during a Penhold kidnapping incident in February 2009 involving a 16-year-old girl.
The federal MP compared impersonating a police officer to threatening a potential victim with a dangerous weapon, noting citizens teach their children to trust authority figures such as the RCMP.
“A circumstance like this erodes public trust very quickly,” said Dreeshen. “Thankfully, events of officer impersonation do not happen often but when they do, we must be ready and able to punish the crime with a suitable sentence. “
Dreeshen said he has visited the young woman who was assaulted and she is now doing well.
The MP read excerpts from a letter the unidentified mother and daughter wrote to him during the media briefing.
“My daughter and I would like to thank Earl Dreeshen and his Red Deer and Ottawa staff for making this bill a reality,” read Dreeshen. “It was well written, and its passage is timely for everyone in Canada. It is amazing what an ordinary mother and daughter can do to change the world.”
Dreeshen ended his reading with a quote from the daughter.
“You rock!,” she said in the letter.
Penhold Mayor Dennis Cooper, who attended the media briefing, said he was proud of the work done by the local MP.
“The fact that, inspite of having the private member bill die on the table, he resurrected it for a second go at Parliament is commendable,” said Cooper. “He never gave up, and the family of the young woman did not give up either.”
The updated version of the Criminal Code of Canada will reflect the new law.
