G20 ruling comes under fire
Re Cop found guilty of G20 assault will keep his job, Nov. 11 Const. Babak Andalib-Goortani has essentially had his allowance docked as a punishment for his behaviour during the G20 protests in Toronto. The judge who heard his appeal apparently felt that the man wasn’t really bad, just naughty, “barely over the line of wrongfulness.” After all, he wasn’t the only police officer to wade into crowds after hiding or removing his name badge, and he’s suffered a marriage breakup, mental stress due to his criminal prosecution and the loss of his home.
If all we want from our justice system is punishment for criminals, which is what legal proceedings determine him to be, then it’s arguable that he has already paid a price. If we want an offender to take responsibility, feel remorse and genuinely try to address what led to his mistake, with the goal of being welcomed back into a supportive community, neither Andalib-Goortani nor the rest of us are served by this judgment.
He has been judged to be a victim of an attempt to hold our police to civilized standards of behaviour. This does no favours to the man himself, our police or the rest of us. Jim Maloy, Barrie, Ont.
“Is this the kind of society that our brave soldiers, sailors, and aviators fought and died for?” STEVEN SPENCER, PICKERING
Well, I guess it’s official: we live in a police state. That a police officer, convicted of assaulting an innocent, passive fellow citizen, should keep his job is utterly unbelievable — that is, assuming that we do live in a “free and democratic society,” as our Constitution proclaims.
What’s happened in this case is called police impunity: the right of police officers to do anything they wish, no matter how criminal, with little or no consequence. The text of the judge’s ruling could have been read out in Moscow or Beijing without anyone thinking it abnormal.
Is this the kind of society that our brave soldiers, sailors, and aviators fought and died for? Steven Spencer, Pickering I was so outraged by this article that I could not find words to express my disbelief. This double standard and preferential treatment of police over private citizens is unacceptable. If anything, police should be held to a higher standard and should face the full extent of the law.
We place our trust in them to police us. They carry the batons and guns. I have long lost faith in the police to be honest or trustworthy. I don’t know how we allow this to continue, nor do I know, as an individual citizen, what I can do about it. Frances Rutherford, Etobicoke Every day we hear reports about police indiscretions, alleged crimes or other unprofessional behaviour. And we hear that those in question have been redeployed or sent home with full pay. The few that appear before the courts are almost always acquitted or given a mild slap on the wrist.
It is time that the familial relationship that exists amongst judges, attorneys and the police be seriously challenged. If not, some police will continue to break the rules knowing that they are protected by the system. John Morton, Toronto I am so glad to hear the police officer will not lose his job. Why was any member of the public at the G20 when the hotel was fenced off and the elected officials were inside a hotel and could not hear or see the residents outside?
What did the public think would happen when the police cars were being set alight, or the windows of innocent local businesses were being smashed and items stolen?
In all the chaos, how were the police supposed to know who was a thug damaging property paid for by local residents or just an innocent bystander watching this incredible damage that was going to cost the taxpayer large sums of money? Hopefully the public will not supply an audience for thugs in future. Brad Shortt, Goodwood
Retired judge Lee Ferrier simply confirmed by his irrational and unfair decision that justice is certainly not for all, but that there is one law for the police, and another for the average citizen.
It’s telling that in the 47-paragraph decision, not one line addressed the impact on the victim of the assault or the impact on public confidence in policing, but was devoted entirely to how Andalib-Goortani is a victim because of his assault on Adam Nobody. Too bad he lost his house and marriage because of his criminal actions. He should have lost his badge and job too, if not be sent to jail.
Until the police complaint system is overhauled, and pro-police biased judges are removed from the process, justice is just a catchphrase for unfair, and worthy of nothing but ridicule. Gerry Young, Toronto It is odd that the one who should have been charged was not. Chief Bill Blair was in charge and failed to act to preserve the rights of the citizens. The Police Services Board did not reprimand him for the way he handled security. George Plotkin, North York I hope this will at least cause a change to the Police Services Act. Also the sentencing judge, Superior Court Justice Brian O’Marra, should be facing his own review before the judicial committee to be removed from the bench. John Joachim, Toronto Adam Nobody was denied justice by retired judge Ferrier who was interested only in the rehabilitation of Andalib-Goortani. No kind words for the victim, Mr. Nobody. The constable keeps his job so you may meet him on the street dispensing justice. Since Mr. Nobody was denied justice, I hope he will seek some form of justice in the civil court. I suggest a fundraiser to help pay his legal bills. Howard Wilson, Toronto Beat an innocent citizen, lose a cookie. Kill an innocent citizen? The Forcillo verdict will certainly be interesting. If not riot inducing. Richard Kadziewicz, Scarborough If this outrageously lenient treatment is not evidence that our police are a law unto themselves, what in heaven’s name would be? Criminals belong in jail, not in the police force. Patrick McDonald, Toronto Outrageous. I bet that as a citizen if I were charged and pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, I would be on the fast track for jail, losing my job, house, and who knows what else. But not a police officer.
Just sign up for the police services, where this position of trust to serve and protect the public comes along with a licence to assault. Am I wrong, or is there something terribly wrong and wrong with our police services and our justice system? Julie Rutishauser, Pickering I cannot help but wonder if criminal activity is represented to a greater extent within the ranks of police forces than it is within the ranks of the general public. Furthermore I can’t help but wonder if police officers caught breaking the law are less likely than the general public to face the full consequence of justice.
I realize we need the police to maintain order but shouldn’t we be able to trust them? As it stands they sometimes appear to be a “necessary evil” that must be respected — and feared. Randy Gostlin, Oshawa Retired judge Lee Ferrier says the assault was “barely over the line of wrongfulness.” Confidence in policing suffers another setback.
Ferrier states that 60 letters attesting to Andalib-Goortani’s character cannot be ignored. What can be ignored is the prosecutor’s request for a penalty of a one-year demotion in rank from first-class to fourth-class constable. The missing badge number and name tag on his uniform can also be ignored.
In spite of his suffering, Andalib-Goortani is still getting off easy. His “turmoil” was not inflicted on him by the tribunal. He was convicted of assault. Although one can feel compassion for him, he was not the victim. Adam Nobody was the victim and this light sentence erodes public confidence in policing. Frank Savino, Toronto What a serious error in judgment. Retired judge Ferrier got it wrong. Const. Andalib-Goortani hid his identity on purpose, beat Adam Nobody for no reason, and failed to later identify himself when asked to come forward. His fellow officers also appear to have covered up for him, by failing to identify him, but that’s impossible to prove (wink).
This looks really fishy to me, and I’m not buying it for a second. This damages the credibility of the system, and only divides our community. It only shows this process only serves itself, and not the community. Bill Steele, Oshawa Re Retired judge all but weeps for guilty G20 cop, Nov. 12 Rosie DiManno nailed it once again. Opinionated but accurate. I just hope she has no need to call 911 because them guys from the fuzz department will not be coming to her rescue. Ron Leroy, Coconut Creek, Fla. Another case of the tail wagging the dog. Vern White, Wasaga Beach, Ont.