Media Appearances

More than thirty years of public commentary on crime, justice, policing, and security across Canadian media.

What this record shows

A long engagement, one consistent concern

This is not a list of appearances for its own sake. Read together, the record traces a single line of work: national security and intelligence in the 2000s, policing, surveillance, and accountability in the 2010s, and organized extortion and community coercion in the 2020s. The thread that holds across all of it is how state power and criminal harm fall on marginalized, racialized, and diasporic communities, and what protection they are owed in response.

For journalists and producers

Media kit

Available to speak on: organized extortion and coercive control in immigrant communities; the gap between crime research and public understanding; evidence-based crime reduction and victim support; policing accountability and oversight; why crime policy fails and what would work better.

Short bio: Dr. Wade Deisman is a criminologist with more than thirty years of experience in crime, policing, security, and justice policy, and the author of the public criminology platform Serial Criminologist.

Recent outlets: CBC television, news, and radio, among others across Canadian media. See the selected clips below and the selected broadcasts.

To book: get in touch. I aim to respond to media inquiries quickly, usually within a day.

A note on method

Serial criminology means sustained engagement, not headline-chasing. One focus at a time, pursued in depth, held until events shift where the work is most needed. Criminology, on this view, is not a worldview so much as an interpretive standpoint: not a fixed set of beliefs, but a position from which to read events.

Across three decades the surface topics changed, national security and intelligence through the 2000s, then policing, surveillance, and system transformation, and now organized extortion against diasporic communities. The underlying concern held steady: how state power and criminal harm fall on marginalized, racialized, profiled, and diasporic communities, and what protection they are owed in response. The standpoint stays constant. The object changes as the world does.

Featured recent clips

The current sustained engagement: the wave of organized extortion targeting South Asian communities in British Columbia, traced from the first analysis through the crisis to the first convictions.

More police alone won't solve the Surrey extortion crisis CBC News, November 7, 2025
The opening analysis: why a policing-only response misreads the problem, and what community-level action can do.
The extortion threats facing B.C.'s South Asian community CBC The Current, November 25, 2025
On CBC's flagship current-affairs program: the argument that the surge points beyond ordinary acquisitive crime toward political domination, most plausibly linked to the deterioration in Canada-India relations after the Nijjar killing. On the police response, that the deficit is trust, not public education, and that the better model is community defiance and solidarity of the kind seen after the 2005 London bombings. (Transcript.)
Abbotsford police speak out on extortion CBC Radio, February 10, 2026
Taking community questions on how concerned residents are, and what they want from police and politicians.
Police presence in Tumbler Ridge CBC Radio, February 11, 2026
On the policing questions raised by a small northern B.C. community's situation.
How one Tumbler Ridge teacher kept his students safe CBC The Current, February 12, 2026
On community trauma and crisis: how a community absorbs and responds to a frightening event.
Public safety concerns in Metro Vancouver CBC On The Coast, May 23, 2025
On the public-safety pressures facing Metro Vancouver and how to read them.
The justice system and repeat offenders CBC Radio West, May 23, 2025
Why the justice system needs to do more when dealing with repeat offenders.
Toxic-drug traffickers and the justice system CBC BC Today, February 7, 2025
On where the justice system fits in the toxic-drug crisis.
Outcome in collapsed $30M drug bust is "devastating" CBC News BC, February 14, 2024
On what the collapse of a major drug prosecution reveals about the system behind it.

Full appearance timeline

A record of 162 media engagements from 1989 to 2026, grouped by era. Each period carries the sustained focus that defined it. Expand a period to see the full list. Older entries are a record of appearances rather than links to recordings.

2020-2025 · Organized extortion & community coercion 14 appearances (CBC BC Today, CBC As It Happens, The Vancouver Sun, CBC Newsworld and more)

2025 CBC Newsworld Police Warn Against Vigilante Justice After Child Sex Luring
2025 CBC BC Today Crime and the Federal Election
2025 CBC On The Coast Public Safety Concerns in Metro Vancouver
2025 CBC Radio West Justice System Must Do More to Deal with Repeat Offenders
2025 CBC BC Today Toxic-drug traffickers and the justice system
2024 CBC The Early Edition Investigating and Busting Drug Superlabs
2024 CBC As It Happens Massive B.C. Drug Operation and Criminological Analysis
2024 CBC As It Happens B.C. fentanyl and firearms bust, policing and policy implications
2024 Public Presentation Incendiary Alchemies, Shuswap Forest Fire event
2024 UFV College of Arts Academic Integrity Drop-in Sessions
2024 UFV Student Orientation Understanding the Value of an Arts Degree
2023 The Vancouver Sun (Online) Police face inherent danger in carrying out search warrants
2023 The Vancouver Sun Quoted on search warrant dangers (Page A2)
2023 The Vancouver Sun Search warrant risks can be managed

2010-2019 · Policing, surveillance & security 21 appearances (CBC Radio, The Globe and Mail (Online), CTV National News, CTV Newsnet and more)

2018 The Globe and Mail (Online) Surrey mayoral candidates and independent police force
2017 The Globe and Mail (Online) Montreal dad crushed after son's jihadi recruitment arrest
2017 The Globe and Mail (Online) Muslim teen sues Montreal school alleging extremist framing
2016 The Province Security cameras and legal ambiguity in public surveillance
2013 CBC Radio RCMP surveillance drones
2013 CTV National News Beefed Up Security Commentary
2013 CBC Radio Boston Bombings and open surveillance
2013 CBC Radio Boston Bombings and Open Street Surveillance
2013 CTV London Boston Bombings Commentary
2013 CTV-London Boston Bombings commentary
2011 CTV Newsnet RCMP Complaint Commission: Tasered Child
2011 CTV-Newsnet Tasered child & RCMP complaint
2011 CTV Canada AM RCMP Taser use on 11-year-old
2011 Canada AM - CTV RCMP Use of Taser on 11-Year-Old
2011 CBC Radio Witness protection legislation
2011 CBC Radio Anonymous hacker group
2011 CBC Radio Hacker group 'Anonymous'
2010 CTV National News Olympic security standards
2010 CTV National News Olympic Security
2010 CTV Newsnet Olympics Security Correspondent
2010 CTV Security Correspondent for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver

2000-2009 · National security & intelligence 118 appearances (CBC The National, CTV Newsnet, Ottawa Citizen, CBC-TV and more)

2009 Canada AM - CTV Harsh Criticism for the RCMP
2008 Embassy Magazine The Power of Secrecy
2008 Globe and Mail Terror Goes Digital. With Canadian Help
2008 CTV-Newsnet Conservative crime platform
2008 CTV Newsnet Conservative Crime Platform
2008 Embassy Magazine The Murky Spaces Between Security Agencies, Co-authored feature
2008 CTV-Newsnet Khawaja verdict
2008 CTV Newsnet Khawaja Verdict
2008 Embassy Magazine New Security Certificates Law Escapes Scrutiny, Co-authored with Mike Larsen
2007 CTV Newsnet Air India Trial
2007 CBC-Radio The Current, Search for New RCMP Commissioner
2007 The Vancouver Sun YVR's master plan on Internet raises concerns [p. B.2]
2007 Toronto Star Ottawa should ground its no-fly list [p. A.20]
2007 CBC-TV Newsworld New RCMP Commissioner Sworn In
2007 CBC-TV Newsworld, New RCMP Commissioner
2007 Globe and Mail Terror goes digital. With Canadian help [p. F.1]
2007 The Globe and Mail Terror goes digital, MIND FIELD interview
2007 National Post Prime time torture [p. A.3]
2007 National Post Prime Time Torture
2007 CBC-Radio The Current, The need for a foreign intelligence agency
2007 CBC The Current Foreign Intelligence Agency
2007 Global Global National - Collecting information about passengers
2007 The Globe and Mail 'Dirty bomb' threat all too real [p. A.8]
2007 CTV CTV National News - Security on Canada Day
2007 CTV Newsnet Glasgow Airport Attack
2007 CTV National News Security on Canada Day
2007 CTV Mike Duffy Live Revamping the RCMP
2007 CPAC Prime Time Politics, RCMP Pension Scandal
2007 The Province In quotes, Comments on RCMP pension scandal
2007 Winnipeg Free Press Something rotten in core of RCMP: criminologist [p. A.4]
2007 The Province In quotes: Wade Deisman comments on the RCMP pension scandal
2007 CTV Mike Duffy Live RCMP reforms and public trust
2007 Countdown - Mike Duffy Live Revamping the RCMP
2007 CPAC Prime Time Politics RCMP Pension Scandal
2007 CTV Mike Duffy Live - Revamping the RCMP
2007 Winnipeg Free Press Something Rotten in Core of RCMP
2007 CBC The National Change in RCMP command
2007 CBC The National RCMP Command Change
2007 CBC The National Terrorism policy and oversight
2006 Winnipeg Free Press Privacy advocates fret about Net service [p. B.6]
2006 National Post Experts expect 'super agency' to review security [p.A.6]
2006 CTV Question Period Security Certificates
2006 CTV Question Period, Security Certificates
2006 CBC The National Security Reflections Post-9/11
2006 CBC The National Evolution of threat levels post-9/11
2006 Calgary Herald Big Brother is alive and well in Canada [p. E.4]
2006 Global Global National, Montreal School Shooting
2006 Global National Montreal School Shooting
2006 National Post Canadians skeptical of security measures
2006 CTV News Transit Security Funding
2006 National Post Canadians sceptical of security measures [p.A.5]
2006 Calgary Herald Vampire culture after shooting
2006 CTV Newsnet Russian Spy Deported
2006 CBC News Dawson College Shooting
2006 Canadian Press NewsWire Six school shootings in six weeks, Comment on copycat effect
2006 Canadian Press Hamilton police arrest via YouTube
2006 Ottawa Citizen Canadians Need to Be Prepared
2006 Ottawa Citizen Why Zaccardelli can no longer stay silent [p. A.1]
2006 CTV Canada AM - Russia accuses British diplomats of spying
2006 Canada AM - CTV Russia Accuses British Diplomats of Spying
2006 Telegram Judge strikes down Anti-Terror Act definition [p.A.7]
2006 The Windsor Star Flaw identified in Security act: Constitutional doubts raised
2006 Edmonton Journal Terror arrests raise Charter red flags (duplicate - Final Edition)
2006 Edmonton Journal Terror arrests raise Charter red flags [p.A.6]
2006 Vancouver Province Top cop's job on the line [p. A.15]
2006 CTV Newsnet Security for Summit at Cancun
2006 Canadian Press Secrecy Law Court Decision
2006 Canadian Press NewsWire Ottawa won't appeal court decision striking down secrecy law
2006 Toronto Star ‘Copycat effect’ on school shootings
2006 Toronto Star Copycat Effect May Explain Cluster
2006 Edmonton Journal Explosive ingredient available at farm stores [p. A.3]
2006 Guardian Ottawa won't appeal decision striking secrecy law [p. A.5]
2006 Toronto Star Airports Set Sights on 'Weird' Conduct
2006 Global National Border ID Debate
2006 Global Global National - Border ID
2006 Montreal Gazette 9 /11 5 years later: Safer skies just beyond our reach [p. A.1]
2006 CBC The National RCMP and Arar case follow-up
2006 CBC The National RCMP and the Arar Matter
2006 CTV Countdown Terror suspects in court, national security implications
2006 CTV Mike Duffy Live Terror Suspects in Court
2006 CTV Mike Duffy Live - Terror suspects in court
2006 Canadian Press NewsWire Super-watchdog over Mounties could emerge from bungled Arar case
2006 CPAC Prime Time Politics, Search for new RCMP Commissioner
2006 Ottawa Citizen Super-watchdog could emerge from bungled Arar case
2006 Global National Civil Rights and Security
2006 Global Global National, Civil Rights
2006 CBC-TV Newsworld, Police Use of YouTube
2006 CBC-TV The National - Search for new RCMP Commissioner
2006 Edmonton Journal Aviation security still up in air: 9/11- 5 Years Later [p. A.6]
2006 Canadian Press Big Brother is Watching Online
2006 CTV Newsnet Zarqawi’s Death
2006 CTV Newsnet Security Screen at Airports
2006 Globe and Mail Air-India families pushed for special terrorist trials [p. A.4]
2006 Calgary Herald Many safety promises still up in air [p. A.20]
2006 Multiple Canadian newspapers Security, privacy, terrorism, surveillance commentary
2005 CBC-TV Newsworld, Web-Luring
2005 CBC-TV Newsworld Web-Luring
2005 Ottawa Citizen Preparedness after terror
2005 Ottawa Citizen Public Readiness & Safety Preparations
2005 CBC The National National security and civil liberties
2005 CBC The National National Security and Oversight
2004 Canadian Press Ontario Police Course for Indigenous Youth
2004 Sudbury Star Sudbury police program garners national attention [p. A.1]
2004 The Ottawa Citizen Force realizes Ottawa Mountie is source of leak; [p. A.9]
2004 The Ottawa Citizen RCMP team came from across Canada, Leak source identified
2004 CanWest News 24 Sussex as a Security Hub
2004 CanWest News 24 Sussex now seat of constant power, Security perspective
2004 Times - Colonist Generator for PM's residence took three years
2004 Times Colonist Comments on 24 Sussex command system and national preparedness
2004 Times - Colonist Generator for PM's residence took three years [p. B.17]
2004 CanWest News New Security Legislation and Whistleblower Protections
2004 CanWest News New Security Legislation (Follow-up Coverage)
2004 The Ottawa Citizen Secrets act lacks 'safety valve'
2004 Ottawa Citizen He liked his job and girls, profile or related commentary
2004 Ottawa Citizen Offender Profiling in Criminal Case
2004 Public Safety Canada E-Policing and Online Crime Reporting
2002 CBC-TV Saturday Report, Security after 9/11
2002 Saturday Report, CBC Television Security laws and civil liberties, national security discussion

1989-1999 · Early career & the academy 9 appearances (Edmonton Journal, The Globe and Mail, Cultures of Internet (SAGE), Alternate Routes and more)

1997 The Globe and Mail Organizers seek to modernize learned gathering's image, Congress of the Humanities
1996 Cultures of Internet (SAGE) Contradictions in Cyberspace: Collective Response
1995 Alternate Routes Ontological Gerrymandering? Non-Identity vs. Differance, Adorno Contra Derrida
1990 Edmonton Journal Capital Cuts 'Undermine' U of A Quality, Operating grant critiques
1990 Edmonton Journal Playing Student-for-a-Day, Commentary on student housing
1990 Edmonton Journal U of A Students’ Union Balks at 15% Tuition Hike
1989 Edmonton Journal Students Mad About Tuition Hike, SU representative quotes
1989 Edmonton Journal Student Leaders Oppose Tuition Hike Suggestion
1989 Edmonton Journal Base U Hike Tuition on Fresh Set of Facts, Critique of provincial funding

Availability

I am available for interviews and commentary on organized crime, victimization, policing policy, and the communication of criminological research to general audiences. For media inquiries, get in touch.