Microsoft Word - 209-210_Codrington BN_2022 ConferencePUB.docx


 
 

KEY EVENTS 

On November 24, 2022, BC’s British Consul-General Thomas Codrington, 
delivered his opening remarks for panel four of the 2022 West Coast Security 
Conference. During his opening remarks, he highlighted some of the similarities 
between Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) in terms of the security 
challenges that both countries face. He also stated that the UK and Canadian 
governments are always seeking opportunities to share and learn from best 
practices, which makes the West Coast Security Conference an important event, 
as there can be a fruitful exchange in perspectives between practitioners and 
academics.  

BACKGROUND 

Mr. Codrington began by highlighting that with Canada being a part of the 
Commonwealth and the Five Eyes alliance, and having similar practices in 
legislation and statutes as the UK, there is a lot of synergy between both countries 
in the public safety and security space. Canada and the UK are committed to 
working together to increase the safety and security of both countries. This 
collaboration goes from front line policing to national security and public safety 
perspectives.  

Mr. Codrington stated that Canada and the UK are adapting collaboratively in 
many areas of the fast-changing security landscape and are also under intense 
scrutiny. For instance, challenges faced in policing have strong parallels, such as 
working with underrepresented minority groups, working to improve public trust 
and confidence, improving de-escalation techniques, creating better wellness and 
mental health programs, improving recruitment and retention of officers, 
changing internal police culture, etc.    

OPENING REMARKS: POLICING AND 
PUBLIC ORDER PANEL — 2022 WEST COAST 

SECURITY CONFERENCE 

Date: November 24, 2022 

Disclaimer: This briefing note contains the 
encapsulation of views presented by the speaker 
and does not exclusively represent the views of the 
Canadian Association for Security and 
Intelligence Studies.        



Thomas Codrington 

The Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare 
Volume 5, Issue 3  

 

210 

In terms of national security and public safety, both countries face similar threats. 
For example, extremism, cyber-attacks, and hostile states. Mr. Codrington noted 
that new technology allows these threats to evolve at a great pace and are 
sometimes unhindered by the barrier or bureaucracy.   

To conclude, Mr. Codrington stated that the UK and Canada have agreed to 
deepen their national security partnership and response, which include providing 
citizens the necessary information they need to be more resilient against 
challenges, such as cyber threats or disinformation. Mr. Codrington stressed that 
we can combat these threats only by working together, sharing best practices, 
investing in common technology, and learning from each other.  

KEY POINTS OF DISCUSSION 

● Canada and the UK are working together and adapting collaboratively in 
many areas of the fast-changing security landscape to increase the safety 
and security of both countries.  

● Canada and the UK face very similar challenges in policing, including 
working with underrepresented minority groups, working to improve 
public trust and confidence, changing internal police culture, and more.  

● New technology has allowed threats from extremism, cyber-attacks, and 
hostile states to evolve at a pace that not even governments can stop.    

● Canada and the UK have agreed to deepen their national and security 
partnership response to arm citizens with the necessary information to 
combat cyber threats and disinformation.   

 

  

 

 

 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-
Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. 
  
© (THOMAS CODRINGTON, 2023) 
  
Published by the Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare and Simon Fraser 
University 
Available from: https://jicw.org/