Try as I might, I simply cannot get over the fact SIU is investigating the conduct of the officers who, in all likelihood, saved Mr. Agostino’s life a short while ago. I’ve been advised by Karen Cushway, who commented on my FB and who is much better informed on such matters than I, that such investigations are standard procedure and that we shouldn’t read too much into it – at this stage at least. I understand, reluctantly, that this form of objective (hopefully) scrutiny is in response to the public’s need for transparent oversight. Nevertheless, I cannot help but feel that this “investigation” is simply wrong. I sincerely trust that the SIU does not share the CJ’s take on this disgusting, unprovoked, assault. The CJ, you will recall, appeared much more concerned with the injury received by the attacker, than the complicated and severe injuries maliciously inflicted on Mr. Agostino. Further, it would be absolutely criminal were the SIU to find or suggest that the officers involved in this incident should have tempered, modified, or measured their decisive and effective response to this vicious attack and any subsequent illegal resistance to arrest, so as not to run afoul of some nebulous social or political ideal. This arrest occurred in the REAL WORLD and should, most definitely, not be judged or interpreted by some arm chair quarterback, speculating as to what should have taken place in a PERFECT WORLD. Action taken in a life or death situation can realistically only be viewed and understood by someone who is actually present. And SIU wasn’t there. The day our officers have to clutter their minds with thoughts other than doing whatever it takes – immediately – to save a life , is the day our officers have been rendered a danger, not only to the public, but also to their fellow officers and to themselves. Here is what I perceive to be the considerations involved in an arrest procedure when officers are confronted by a violent individual beating someone to death. Our officers should : 1. Swiftly and effectively neutralize the attacker. Such neutralization should not only be absolutely immediate, but should be accomplished in such a fashion as to decisively and totally ensure, having regard to each set of specific circumstances, that not one more blow is suffered by the victim. Needless to say, one more blow or stab could result in the death of the victim. It cannot be allowed to be delivered. 2. Assess the presence and position of any members of the public who are susceptible to harm and if that is the case, swiftly and effectively neutralize such threat. 3. In the course of accomplishing steps one and two above, act in whatever manner necessary to reasonably protect themselves from injury. 4. Lastly - and I mean absolutely last - have regard to the safety and well being of the attacker. Because their behaviour precipitated this entire process, the attackers physical safety should be the absolute last element to be considered. Let me give you an example. Say we have someone severely beating another person who is lying between railroad tracks. A train is approaching in the distance. An officer dashes up onto the tracks and delivers a blow to the attacker, rendering him unconscious and sprawled on the tracks beside the victim. The train is rapidly approaching. The officer should: 1. Remove the victim from the tracks. 2. Make sure no other members of the public have gravitated to the scene. 3. Make sure the officer is clear from harms way. 4. If time allows, try to remove the unconscious assailant from the tracks. So there you have it everyone, Tamara Johnson’s hierarchy of considerations to be adhered to in the process of arresting someone committing a violent assault on another person. “Big deal” some of you are saying to yourselves. “Tell us something new Tamara, all you have said is common sense. Everyone knows this is what should be done.” If this is what you said to yourself, or if this is what you thought, then you are as wrong as I am. The truth is our officers would place number 4 before number 3. The truth is our officers would selflessly place their own lives at risk to remove that scum from the train tracks. And that everyone is precisely why they are police officers and we are not. It is also precisely why they deserve our utmost admiration and respect.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 03:56:25 +0000