Gee…. Do Ya Suppose…….
The RCMP realizes the level of public trust in the force has dropped due to evidence heard by an inquiry into the Tasering of a Polish immigrant at the Vancouver International Airport.
“The public trust is at a level we would rather not see,” B.C. RCMP spokesman Cpl. Peter Thiessen said during a break at the inquiry Monday.
“We’re going to work extremely hard to get it back to a level we would like to see,” he said.
(source)
Fraternalism is not a bad thing, until it becomes blind to all else but the brotherhood; I would suggest that the Dziekanski incident is an example of that, and that this incident, and the brotherhood’s (both official and unofficial) response to it, have so damaged the public image of the RCMP that it will be many (many) years before public confidence returns to (even the low level) it was at on October 13, 2007…. let alone to the level the RCMP might like to see it at today.
To begin regaining the public trust the RCMP needs to quit sheltering, protecting, and excusing, members who conduct themselves like those involved in Dziekanski’s death have been sheltered, protected, and excused — my optimism levels are not high.
Cpl Thiessan, we would like to see you get back to that level too. We’ll be watching your PR campaigns and damage control statements with hope and interest, but have you considered fast-tracking the process with a few dismissals for cause, resignations or maybe even criminal charges?