Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyboy
I don't have a problem with policing, so long as it is done in a way which benefits society; the ways in which it is meant to. My issues are with those officers who choose to police in a way which departs from the principals laid down to protect the public. All figures of authority should be held to a higher standard than those who they excercise their prerogative over. What is just as worse, however, are those among them who seek to conceal the poor behaviour of their colleagues and others, or even attempt to justify, encourage or ignore it; as we have witnessed in this case.
The basis of this opinion is that two wrongs do not make a right. Because Mr Tomlinson was not walking away from him fast enough, does not justify the actions Harwood took. The jury at the inquest concur with that opinion.
Regardless of what many may think, I have a huge respect for the police service and what it stands for. I sit on my local NAG committee, I am chair of our local residents' association and co-chair of the neighbourhood watch, all of which cannot survive without a good relationship with our local police service. However, what I cannot respect, nor condone, are those officers who abuse their position and I am aghast at those who do. When I was growing up, I witnessed police officers doling out summary punishments to children as young as nine years old, one thirteen year old friend was left with two black eyes and a a bloody nose after "showing disrespect" to one officer. I have witnessed them planting evidence on youngsters as young as twelve. This was just the tip of a very large iceberg.
Even after all of that, I still have a huge admiration for those who step up to the mark and dedicate their professional lives to upholding the law and remaining on the right side of morality. I have met and know a great many brave and dedicated police officers, who would not even flinch in the face of danger and threat. But, I will not sit quietly by and watch their efforts destroyed by a minority, who would seek to tarnish the reputation of so many good men and women.
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Yes you have so much respect for them that, despite the numerous posts you've made with respect to the police, this is the first time I can recall you saying anything positive about them at all.
Despite there having been no criminal trial, you've already made up your mind that Mr Tomlinson was 'beaten to death' despite the fact that the official view was that officer concerned had used "excessive and unreasonable force" resulting in unlawful killing. Your deliberate choice of highly emotive words before any prosecution for manslaughter is hardly evidence of a fair-minded approach or any real concern about the service you now claim to be so supportive of.