Whatever else is going on for police in B.C., I think they're developing a serious PR problem with all this stuff. Most police are good people risking their lives to keep us safe from harm - we all get that, I'm sure. But there's definitely more than one rotten apple spoiling things for the larger group, and I hope chiefs all over the province are doing some sober thinking about the suitability of some of the people they're hiring for the work.
In the meantime, keep your cameras on hand.
Comments
What really galls me about this incident is not the actions of a lone officer reacting in a tense situation - but rather the smear campaign by senior RCMP officers against the victim Buddy Tavares. The very fact that senior Mounties hastily brought out 'domestic violence' allegations against Tavares to turn mounting public rage against the victim is outrageous and needs to be investigated.
Who, exactly, in the RCMP decided that it would be a good idea to defame the victim? This culture inside the RCMP is insidious and needs to be stamped out.
The major problem is the RCMP does not report locally or to the province. It reports to its own CEO in Ottawa.
Kelowna would be well advised to rid themselves of the RCMP and have their own police force as does Vancouver, New Westminister, Delta, etc.
The R.C.M.P. was organized along military lines to provide rural policing.
They have become too large an organization to work and/or recruit well.