Why did he do it?

[maplesyrup]

Why Did He Do It?

"I think the police chief's entitled to his opinion, and that's my opinion." These are probably some of the most outrageous things ever to come out of the mouth of a senior police official in this country. First, where is the presumption of innocence? Are we going to have trials by news conference now? Second, Mr. Catney, with due respect, when you are wearing your uniform, you have no opinion. Save your opinions for your off hours, sir. What you said was way, way out of bounds. It has made the Crown's job much more difficult and it was all so unnecessary.

So, why did he do it? In my opinion, the senior levels of police in the province are out of control.

I have watching what has been going on with senior police officers in Ontario. First we have the situation in Toronto and now this Peel Region event.

This issue is going to trouble a lot of Canadians because it is important for Canadians to be able to respect their police, otherwise we will end up with a breakdown in society.

[maplesyrup]

Chief's words in Zhang case a problem, lawyers say

A senior policeman's intemperate remarks at a press conference announcing the arrest of a suspect in the slaying of Cecilia Zhang are a prime example of a growing problem, a veteran defence lawyer said yesterday.

High-profile press conferences at the time of an arrest, at which police officers profess their belief that the crime has been solved and the perpetrator found, are undermining the fabric of the justice system, Toronto lawyer Brian Greenspan said in an interview.

Well I certainly hope these remarks do not impede the path to justice. Something is terribly wrong when a law enforment official comments on a case that has not yet been determined by the courts. I think I read somewhere that these kind of remarks were encouraged by the Harris government. Thank goodness he's gone.

Gotta wonder sometimes how some people get into these positions of power and authority. Too bad more good people don't go into politics.

[playfullfellow]

Gotta wonder sometimes how some people get into these positions of power and authority. Too bad more good people don't go into politics.

Because most good people are not liars and cheats. As for the chief making the statements that he did, well he is only human. He just went through hell for several months building a case against a scumbag. People tend to get much more emotional when there is a child involved, especially when a child is brutalized and killed. What would your feelings be in such a case MS? You speak very loudly for the under priveliged here, would you not do the same in public? Or are you just a closet rebutalist?

I do agree with you there should be repurcussions against the chief if the case fails because of his remarks but not a resignation. If we all had to resign everytime we made a bad judgement in our work, then the unemployment lines would be miles long. Besides, if they have an air tight case, then the scumbag will be found guilty.

[belfred]

maplesyrup/playfullfellow

You both seem to be centering on the 'guilt or innocence' of Chief Catney, and in a general way all police services. As far as I know he is free of any guilt in any particular crime or offense. I have stated previously he exceeded reasonableness in a segment of his statement to the media. We all agree on that point.

Are you not both overly stating your displeasure with a general and unwarranted questioning of police 'honesty and integrity'? There are bound to be errors in police work, like any other occupation or profession. Some more serious than others. But does that really call into question a sinister motive or motives for the mistake(s)?

I recommend you both revisit the statistics involving the arrest and susequent charging of the accused with capital murder. From what we learn they are considerable

and involved. But a political agenda or plot I could not discover in the material.

Follow the case at hand and be less active trying to impune the good name of police forces and thier chiefs.

"Ne Mo me impune laccssit" motto of Scotland and Order of the Thistle. ( no one attacks me with impunity)

[maplesyrup]

Catney is condoning mob rule.

Fortunately those ideas went out of favour in, was it, the 19th century?

[caesar]

maple syrup; you are dramatizing. He just stated an opinion. He did not advocate taking him to the nearest tree and hanging him. If it were my child; I would like to take him behind the barn and end it quickly. Lets have a little compassion for the victims and those who have to investigate this type of crime; especially when it is a young child. Criminals get too much coddling; monsters who kill or abuse children should have no support. He will get a fair trial. The remarks made will not change that one iota.

[maplesyrup]

He will get a fair trial. The remarks made will not change that one iota.

Says who? On what basis do you make a remark like that?

We are not talking about the victim - that is a separate issue. No one is suggesting that the suspect should not be tried, and IF FOUND GUILTY, be given a punishing sentence.

Why in the world do you think we have separated the court system from the police role in society?

We are talking about inappropriate behaviour by a senior role model for a lot of police officers. This needs to be nipped in the bud or we could begin sliding back to the law of the jungle.

In Canada one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Even prior to this case, we have been having way too many trial by media as opposed to trial by jury in our society.

[The Terrible Sweal]

The chief's conduct was utterly unprofessional. He didn't make his comment in the heat of the moment, at the time of arrest, or under intense questioning by the press.

He quite deliberately called a press conference, and then some time later openned it with a pronouncement on the guilt of an accused.

If the accuse should turn out to be innocent (that does happen, as we know all too well in Canada), then the taxpayer will be forking over for the chief's stupidity.

[takeanumber]

If I want Drama, I'll watch Law and Order.

The Chief should have kept the facts.

[KrustyKidd]

Na, the people needed an emotional POd statement. In fact, they deserved it, to top it off, it may act as a bit of a deterrent to another wierdo killer.

I agree with Sweal and Maple though, he should not have said it like that as a 100%. That was bogus. The guy can get off or have his sentence reduced or whatever if they can use bias as an argument. Certainly the police in this case seem pretty sure he is the guy to the exculsion of all others. Possibly the next time he might employ a speech writer or a legal assistant to check his musings. 'If this guy is found guilty, we are gonna make him hurt." would be fairly emotional, settling the blood lust of the public without infringing on the 'innocent until proven guilty' type of thing.