A POLICE OFFICER'S PERSPECTIVE

Re: “'Victimhood culture': Why Milburn went viral" (Nov. 27 opinion piece). The words of Drs. Julie Curwin and Chris Milburn ring true, like a clarion call for action. They are two incredibly brave people who are now pilloried by many. I have just retired after a near 30-year career as an RCMP officer.

I like to think I treated all people with fairness and respect. But there were countless occasions when my values, and indeed the core values of the RCMP, were severely challenged by individuals who just did not care about anyone else. I am not speaking of victims of historic violence and abuse; I am speaking of those who choose to be drunk and violent at 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday and seething with rage, anger and violence. Such individuals simply do not have respect for others. I have no academic weight to support my assertion, but I believe some people are just plain evil and possibly beyond redemption.

Throughout my career, I cannot remember ever being spit upon, but I was certainly subjected to behaviour that most would say was unacceptable. But such was my job; I am not complaining about my lot.

What I could never understand or accept was the abuse suffered by health-care workers at the hands of certain subjects. Spitting, threatening, punching, biting and swearing at doctors and nurses — that should not be considered part of their job. Many lawyers and so-called advocates never see such horrors; they only see subjects when they are clean, sanitized and on their best behaviour for their lawyers and the media.

I challenge anyone to spend a night in emergency with doctors and nurses or, if possible, attend a 3 a.m. call with police. Dr. Curwin is correct when she writes of a “deeper philosophical rift” in our culture on these issues. I think it partly stems from misuderstanding or ignorance, willful or otherwise, of the less- than-glamorous side of medicine and public safety. The call for action has been made, it is up to all of us to decide how we respond.

Sean Boulger, Middleton