Cynics Unlimited

It has not been a good week for law enforcement personnel around the GTA:

• 40 year-old Robert Wright, a 22-year veteran of the Toronto Police Force, was granted bail after being charged with exposing himself to children at an Oakville Toys R Us. Wright is suspended with pay pending an investigation (which includes determining whether the Traffic Services specialist exposed himself at other locations during the day)
• Jail Superintendent David Mitchell, a 19 year veteran, was literally driven to tears at a press conference describing harassment faced by himself and other minority prison guards. On January 19th, Mitchell allegedly received hate mail threatening his life. Other jail guards have complained of discriminatory practices in the jail cell. Inmates were not to blame, however; the threats came from fellow jail guards.

There are many parts of the world where the public fears the police as much as they fear the criminals (if not more so). Despite the histrionics of some activists, Ontario hasn’t reached that point and the danger is not imminent. However, with added empowerment coming down from the federal government to fight escalating gun crime, wouldn’t it benefit everyone to do a quick housecleaning of our police officers and jail/prison guards? As many other identifiable groups already know, the malicious actions of a few can tar the honest efforts of many.