Editorial

Perspective: Kofi Patrong Gets Green Light to Justice, Police Scared

Prosecuting Justice

For a citizen to seek redress by taking on the police is daunting.

It is like getting a root canal should you decide to sue the police for alleged wrongdoing. In most cases you may need to not just get the usual cocaine injected in your gum to deaden the area around the tooth (locally), but may be put to sleep and a full surgery performed. This would call for general aesthetics … an appeal court could be viewed in this regard … a step further up the ladder with a broader view.

It calls for courage, determination, mental and other
resources, big time.

Alleged victim Patrong, 32, a coloured, shot by the police, finds himself asking a Superior Court to rule against a lower court. This is not always an easy ride.  But if justice is colour blind then it is justice that should really matter and not egos or the status of the court.  The mantra that “Justice should not only be done but appear to have been done.”  should aptly apply here.

Tough task

To have the audacity to take on the police and their powerful unions or associations is usually a most daunting task. There is the usual perception that law enforcement (the police) is always right even when a citizen’s rights is blatantly trampled on or infringed.  There is more than a passing view that the police must be right as they are widely perceived as having  acted on our behalf.

Wrong Assumption

For starters the role of the police should never be discounted. They perform an oftentimes thankless job and are drawn over the coals should they make a lapse in judgment. Yes, they act on our behalf in many instances.

What if a misguided cop is motivated by racism?

On January 1, 2017 Ontario is moving to control the conduct of the police and in particular the practice called “carding”. In short disguised racial profiling.

Like any of us they are only humans but must be held accountable and  face the full consequences for their actions or non actions. This should not be viewed as beating up on them.

Abuse of Power

It is a common assault for the police who are sworn to protect, to be accused of acting in a manner that compels even one of their ardent supporters to say they have acted in a manner commonly referred to as “abuse of power.”

Police Transgressions

For example, unlawful arrest, search without a warrant, discharging a firearm even when self defense is absent. This is known as excessive use of force, evidence planting, lying to secure a conviction to name a few of their/perceived/known transgressions. It is a jungle out there.

Even when they (the police) are caught on camera doing wrong, to secure a conviction from say a jury is as stated above, is like getting a root canal performed (on a patient).

Their conduct oftentimes lead to poor police citizen relationship.

We are not here trying a case against the police, but are confident that even as justice is on trial, as it appears to be in this case … justice will triumph.

To Kofi Patrong we say never lose faith in the system.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.

https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2017/01/11/gunshot-victim-gets-green-light-again-to-sue-toronto-police.html

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