Who polices the police? Saskatoon residents organize their own watch group

A group of Saskatoon residents have established a chapter of Copwatch, a grassroots organization that aims to monitor law officers. "Police are enforcing the law and should not be above it," said Jude Ashburn, an organizer with Saskatoon Copwatch. Volunteers patrol streets, documenting -- often with video or audio recorders -- interactions between police and residents to ensure police do not tread on citizens' rights. Copwatch started in Berkeley, Calif. Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal all have active chapters. Critics argue the group has, on occasion, selectively edited video to exaggerate police misconduct. Saskatoon police welcome the unofficial supervision, said Inspector Dave Hayes, who heads up the force's professional standards division. "We shouldn't shy away from accountability. We believe our officers are doing good work," he said.