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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Police under increasing pressure

Sep 16, 2022 | 5:12 AM

THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED INCREASE in the number of police-involved shootings this year. The IIO, which looks into officer-involved shootings, says it is investigating 18 cases since April 1, with a couple of new cases added this past week. Normally, it investigates seven cases in a year. That’s a pretty significant jump.

Every time there’s an officer-involved shooting, the police are chastised for shooting first and asking questions later. In some cases, it’s true.

There is systemic racism in police forces throughout the world. Recent studies show gender profiling, often bad choices in dealing with the homeless and members of the LBGTQ+ community — and the list goes on.

But in light of the number of violent incidents, brazen murders, ambushes of police officers, open gang warfare and the like, I don’t think the police are doing a bad job.

Massive changes are needed, in attitudes, in dealing with the marginalized and those influenced by drugs. The police need more officers with more training, they need a Car 40 approach where a mental health practitioner rides with an officer to cases involving mental health.

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But in the end, there are cases where officers have to act quickly, and they have only a fraction of a second to do that. Sometimes they make questionable decisions. That doesn’t mean they did anything wrong.

When you confront anyone with a weapon, you don’t have time to consult with anyone, especially if you’re on patrol by yourself. And because a person is high on drugs doesn’t give them a free pass.

And it’s not a defence to say, “He (or she) was such a good boy. He didn’t deserve this. He just got in with the wrong people.” Try telling that to the victims of these violent crimes.

I don’t want to be too harsh here. I’m simply making the point that, while the police are much maligned, they operate under a number of trying conditions. And they are not always the bad guys, despite what their critics would have you think.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.