A man died from a heart attack, during the G20 protests in London. He was allegedly walking home from work when he was hit with a police baton and pushed to the ground.
I have this to say, not in defense of the cop, but in explanation: I have the impression there is a certain demographic of people who choose the profession of city police officer. And I think that as an officer at a protest, where you have been briefed to the nines, are given a shield and a facemask, you get just as charged up emotionally as protesters themselves. It must be easy to be that pumped up, when you wield power in a situation where you are pretty much asked to use it.
So I think I understand the officer’s actions, but that it’s still wrong. A friend of mine put it well:
Sometimes they forget they’re supposed to protect the public, not just diplomats.
I once asked my father about something like this that has happend before. Since he has done this kind of work in his RCMP career. Its quite touchy cuz there is a fine line. I dont wanna put words in my father’s mouth so that this as a approximation of what he said and not litteraly.
He mentionned that its hard to differ between people. You can’t really give a “chance” to one person and be seen as weak. You are to move as 1 unit. Sometimes that 1 person walking away seems harmless then they attack the cops.
So maybe the cops should have hit him. I also think it was not right (and I strongly beleive my father would say the same). He could of told him to bug off before taking action or I dont know.
But how is the cop to know that this man was not a protester, had no bad intention or even had a heart problem?
On the other side, why was this man walking from work trew a protest crowd? Must say he was putting himself in a unstable situation. Maybe the man could of said somehing like “I’m just heading hom.”
Either way… there is alot of “if”s and “maybe”s… It’s just very unfortunate that this happend.
Posted by Val A on April 8th, 2009.
I couldn’t agree more, Val. Thanks for your contribution!
Posted by Andrew on April 8th, 2009.