The RCMP
Dear Editor;
Pakistani police bash and smash pro-democracy demonstrators. Iranian police whip women who dress “imodestly.” Chinese police open fire on students. New Orleans’ police join looters in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Mexican police riddled with corruption. These reports are just a hint of the uniformed thuggery that the hapless citizens of other lands have to endure. But, outside their own areas, the world takes little notice of these atrocities. However, the scarlet-coated Mountie is a Canadian symbol with world-wide recognition, and is widely admired as an example of policing as it should be done. Consequently, when scandal touches the RCMP it’s noted around the world. Here at home, the RCMP is head -and-shoulders above every other police and security service in public esteem. So, when a mountie, whether a constable or commissioner, disgraces the RCMP’s hard-earned image-and the Vancouver taser incident may or may not fit this catagory-he or she should be drummed out of the service in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill.
William Bedford
Toronto, Ontario
