To the editor,
A recent article, Thunder Bay Police receive more calls for services – with more officers assaulted – should be very concerning for all residents and visitors to Thunder Bay. There could be a quick fix if lawyers and the justice department work together.
Defence lawyers try their best to lighten the penalties that their clients may receive, and prosecutors try to impose the maximum penalty possible. This is not new news. What may be new is that if the accused is found waving a weapon for threat or to use to assault an officer, the charge should be for the greater crime.
For example: a perpetrator commits a B&E and is in possession of stolen goods under $5,000. They also carry a weapon and use it to assault an officer. The charge should not be the lesser crime of B&E, but for the greater crime with intent to injure or take life of the officer. If convicted, the latter charge should be a mandatory sentence without parole. No plea bargaining allowed here just to save court time and taxpayers’ money. This is not a cost issue, but a criminal issue against officers of law.
It is one thing to take possession of goods that don’t belong to you, but it is another thing to execute intent to take one’s life. This is where the justice system needs to be re-modelled to set an example that enough is enough.
When officers are reluctant to press charges against the perpetrator for assault, this becomes very concerning. This is most likely due to the numerous complaints filed against officers in the past due to police using excessive force. With a skilled lawyer representing the accused, the accused becomes the victim and the officer becomes the villain. What’s wrong with this picture?
If an officer has used excessive force and found to be guilty of a complaint, then they are faced with suspension of pay, civil litigation, reduced rank, subject to counselling, etc., or worse – termination from the force. They may also face criminal charges as well. The criminal at first instance will receive a slap on the wrist (figuratively speaking), probation, and/or usually released without any jail time.
It is time that rules are steadfast and stern. Quit babying the accused. Usually they are adults and should be held accountable for the greater crime. Once the message gets across to those in the criminal world that Thunder Bay will not tolerate this kind of villainous behaviour, then just maybe the crime rate will recede and tax dollars can be better spent for more positive uses.
Ed Dunnill
