Obiter Dicta Issue 3 - September 28, 2015

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