STILL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

I read with interest the editorial in Saturday’s Journal Pioneer concerning the police shooting on May 17, 2018. I have absolutely no comment on the results of the SiRT investigation but as a former police officer with the Summerside Police Services, retiring as deputy chief of police, with 40 years of service, I do have an opinion to share. When a police officer uses lethal force, it must be justified.

In law, if an officer fears for his/ her safety, or the safety of others, justification must be established. (The SiRT report says it was in this case.)

It will be interesting to see how Summerside City Council reviews this incident, as it is their responsibility to ensure our police services is properly trained, managed and supervised.

News reports have stated police were watching this residence on Duke Street for approximately 90 minutes prior to any movement.

Was there a supervisor on site? When the city was in complete darkness, what plan of action was discussed, as to how this arrest was going to unfold?

We have three police officers trained in self-defence, tasers, mace and firearms, which resulted in a man bring shot eight times. In all, nine shots were fired. No other means of restraint were apparently used.

Why would police not wait this guy out? What experience did these three officers have? There are lingering questions many are asking. Until an inquest or an inquiry takes place a cloud does hang over our police services. The residents of Summerside, need to be assured our police service is well managed, with frontline supervisors on site in serious incidents. In all fairness, I hope this was the case; but how do we know?

To just file an eight-page report and carry on seems totally wrong to me. I also understand the trauma these police officers are enduring, as well the Stephens family. There are many questions, to be answered. David Griffin Summerside