International Day of Celebrating those who do a difficult job...
March 15, 2003

This correspondence is sent to you with hope that it will be received with both objectiveness, and an open mind. I have read several pieces posted on your site, and am sure that I will continue to do so on a regular basis. It is always very interesting to read submissions (some articulated better than others, but that is the color that comes with free speech) from differing ends of the political spectrum.

With regards to the upcoming "Seventh International Day Against Police Brutality" ...I would like to address several of the issues and impressions that the writer has chosen to express. I, by no means, can speak for each and every police officer that works in our city, let alone our province, or country for that matter. Sweeping generalizations (re: police behaviour) do us all a disservice, and are easy to hang on to...but they really don't provide an accurate account of the work that police officers do each and every day.

If you take into account the number of police officers working in your city, and imagine the number of interactions that take place throughout the course of a day, what you may read about in the paper, or on sites such as this one...are by no means a true measure of the level of assistance and service that police officers provide to the community.

The writer proclaims "The Police, the right arm of the State, abuse(ing) their power on a daily basis...they continuously violate the very laws that they are supposed to uphold...check I.D...ticket, harass, steal, spy, beat, detain, arrest, imprison, torture and kill". Wow! That list includes a lot of things that I have not seen or experienced...nor do I hope to in this lifetime!

There are obviously some differing interpretations of what being a police officer entails. In an effort to keep any countering articles/responses reasonable, I'll try to focus my comments on things happening in Canadian cities.

Many people have their I.D. checked for differing reasons every day, and some receive tickets for a variety of infractions. On a smaller scale, yes...in some cases I.D. checks result in tickets, and contrary to the writer's inference, tickets are issued for valid reasons.

Surprisingly, people lie to the police everyday. Would you want police officers who didn't want to establish the identity of people that they are concerned about? When horrific crimes are committed, do most people not ask "where were the police?", or "what are the police doing about it?" requesting I.D. is one small part of police work. In my humble opinion, I would submit that there are a lot of persons walking our streets that potentially pose a threat to you and your children...the police deal with these people each and every day. Establishing the identity of some of these people is very important. What may seem as random to some, may not be so random to police officers.

Beyond the enforcement, many of our dealings involve assisting people, clarifying bylaws, traffic offences and yes, even applying criminal law. Arrests do occur as a result of many factors, and there are many decisions that must be made in a split second. Mistakes are made...there is no doubt about that. I have made more than my share...I don't deny that. But, unlike what you may read, choose to believe, or watch on A&E, we are not falling all over ourselves arresting the wrong people for everything. Police officers are regular people, making decisions based upon our judgement and interpretation of incidents that usually have occured prior to our arrival. These decisions have to be made...not everyone agrees, and criticism is always easiest for those who have the luxury of time and distance.

There are serious implications which stem from the police making an arrest. Police officers are aware of the impact that an arrest can and does have. There are long-term considerations, employment implications, relationship...and often, most importantly...the effect on the family as a whole. The police are responsible for enforcing the laws that we live by. It may come as a surprise to some, but most people don't like being arrested...and that can lead to "police violence"...when arrests get physical, it is because of this...police officers cannot lose...the implications become quite serious. It isn't always pretty, but once someone is to be arrested...it will happen. Not everyone operates on a logical level, nor can some be "talked" into being arrested. Somebody has to do it, and while it's not always easy, it certainly isn't always fun...but, not a lot of police officers signed up for "fun".

Attending demonstrations and protests isn't always fun either. Having a certain segment of the protesters attend with the intention of either "breaking something" or "injuring a police officer" shouldn't be as accepted as it has become. It is actually very disappointing to have witnessed the recent digression. Groups that have a point, and are attending a location, or marching to the location to articulate it, seems to have become a rarity. Over the last few years...I've seen groups dressed for "combat" working their wary into crowds...under the cover (by no mistake) of peaceful persons participating in the demonstration. I've also seen groups of "combat ready" protesters with backpacks filled with glass jars of bleach, paint and urine. Having had similar glass jars rain down and smash around me, don't kid yourselves...we know what they're bringing them for.

What I hope doesn't get lost in this piece, is that the police aren't there to be targets. How does throwing something at, and possibly injuring another person further your cause?

These same officers are members of your community. They're the same people who take the time to help out at the local rink...coach childrens' soccer and hockey teams...volunteer at the food banks & shelters. Despite all this, which seems quite obvious to me, the "facelessness" of the uniform seems to free some people from considering us as human beings. It's sad to say, but...I've had bullhorns sounded directly into my face, had my life threatened, had persons twice my age scream obscenities that I wouldn't expect from someone half my age. I've kept my composure while arrested persons and protesters alike (male & female) have explained to me how much of an A-hole I am, how they were going to rape my wife, spit on my children. Then tell me that I'm a heartless jerk because I'm not reacting to their insults. I should not, by default become your easy target, but it's my job. I would much rather carry on with my day...which can, and has consisted of the following...I've walked many a street person to the local clinic, ensuring that they've eaten, and taken medication where required, I've brought paramedics to an overdosed person in a secluded parking garage, I've cleared a burning "crack house" to make sure no one was left inside, I've arrested a pedophile who'd sexually assaulted two children, helped many people through the stress of rush hour traffic accidents, I've driven a mentally challenged person to his parents home after finding him drunk in an alley in -30 weather at 2am...when my shift ended at 1am. That's my job. It's not always glamorous, won't always make it to COPS...but that's alright with me.

I am your neighbor, I am your fundraising team member, I may be standing behind you in line at the grocery store checkout. I could be the one that didn't race into the open parking spot knowing that you were there ahead of me...I try to be patient, as do you, but sometimes I have a bad day too. (Hope that I've expressed that reasonably).

Are there Human Rights violations that I'm concerned with happening around the world...yes. Do I have concerns about the environment...probably more than you'd like to think. I must admit...I've eaten at McDonald's/buy NIKE products/have the odd possession that I've worked hard to obtain and enjoy...and I'm sure if many protesters were honest with themselves, they would admit that they have as well. But hypocracy is such a harsh term. I tend to prefer "selective" social concern. Not to disappoint, but, I'm not a fascist, I don't know Mike Harris, and no...I didn't vote for George Bush, but I did cry the day of 9/11.

There is nothing, and I have to repeat...nothing...wrong with protesting. It is a fundamental right in this country. Police officers attend protests hoping that it is peaceful, and that it ends with as little confrontation as possible. As far as being the "Right Arm of the State"...please...that is so tired...and so very dated. Brainwashed...I wish I could be...but many of us sat in classes at university right beside you. Protests...have fun, express yourselves...jam a road? ...march down a sidewalk...chain yourself to a fence? But remember, there are those who may not agree with you...yes, that is possible...and they will most likely wait patiently for a while. You must consider that possibility, and ensure that your right to protest does not trample the rights of others as well.

Some don't have the luxury of taking a day off to protest. Some may even be working two or three jobs to keep a family afloat, and may need that extra half hour to get home to see their loved ones...others may have delivery deadlines...and being caught in traffic could cost them more than time.

Well, that just about wraps up my thoughts on the matter. I'm sure that an onslaught of objection will come...so, give it your best shot...but, as mentioned earlier, I would only hope that my piece would be read with objectivity, and an open mind. For those who "question the legitimacy of police authority", well, feel free to help the next homeless person you see up off the sidewalk, bring him/her to your residence/the local health clinic or soup kitchen...maybe I'll see you there.

Please excuse any spelling mistakes. In closing...I guess I have to come up with a simplified equation/slogan to match that of the original Police Brutality one...

POLICE = NORMAL PEOPLE, TRYING TO DO A TOUGH JOB!
DOWN WITH PROTEST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE!

JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR CELEBRATING THE DIFFICULT WORK OF EMERGENCY WORKERS! (Hell, let's make it the same day!)

By: Fountain of Hope.