Volume 88 | Issue | obiter-dicta.ca
The Definitive Source for Osgoode News since 1928
Monday, September 28, 2015
WE’RE SUPPOSED TO
TRUST COPS, RIGHT?
nearly 350 officers disciplined
ê Photo credit: Durham Radio News
simmy sahdra › news editor
T
he police have high expectations placed
upon them, as they are ideally a group of protectors, defenders, and enforcement of the
law. While the majority of police may still
meet these high expectations, a Toronto Star investigation recently uncovered some “hidden truths” in
how the minority of police officers who do act badly
are being disciplined and reprimanded for their poor
behaviour inside and outside their role as police
officers.
Overall, some overarching themes exposed
through the investigation included police officers
being treated too lightly for serious misconduct, and
a lack of transparency. Many people would surely
be shocked to find that some officers they may be
approaching for help have in the past been involved
in the following activities:
A York Region rookie hits his wife with an open
hand so hard he ruptures her eardrum.
A Toronto police constable cheats on his sergeant
exam on three separate occasions by having his girlfriend, who was also a police officer, radio him the
answers.
An OPP constable drives a homeless Aboriginal
man several kilometres out of town, and leaves him
to walk back at dusk along a busy highway in nearfreezing temperatures.
The above officers are still part of the police
force, and when you think of the possible scenarios that could ensue—such as a victim of domestic
abuse approaching an officer for help, when he himself abuses his wife—these are terribly problematic
situations.
» see toronto police, page 18
In this Issue ...
editorial
Climate Change Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
news
Niqabs to Tom Brady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
opinion
Osgoode Dean Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
arts & culture
Jurisfoodence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
sports
Toronto Blue Jays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16