Police and the Populace

From: J Birch Sent: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 12:11:16 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; info@bnn.ca <info@bnn.ca>; doug.fordco@pc.ola.org <doug.fordco@pc.ola.org>; correspondence@council.nyc.gov <correspondence@council.nyc.gov> Subject: Police and the Populace (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I have been reading more in the news lately about police misconduct in relation to people of color and many feel that these incidents are fueled by racist bias. Police and first responders have some of the toughest jobs in todays society and I fully recognize the toll that such a job can take on a person. That being said, there are far too many incidents where the aspect of color cannot be overlooked as a motivator for the lack of proper care by the police. When police are on site either on an arrest, peace keeping endeavor or questioning they have to conduct themselves in the best possible fashion regardless of the situation. It matters not their color, religion, political standing or language, each person who faces a police officer should never feel afraid for their life. The police are the first line of defence when it comes not only the protection of our society but its morality. When police cross that line between justice and injustice it degrades not only our judicial system but it also effects the very fundamental core of our society, all people are created equal. If we are all created equal then we must be treated equally under the law, for if even one of us stands outside of justice then we are all affected by the injustice of it. Police must be the best of us so that we can be the best of us. I have said this before but it behooves me to repeat it, police can either be Paragons of Justice or Heralds of Injustice. This choice is made by an officer each shift, each call that they take can either further the idea of our judicial system or tarnish it. I have met some great officers during my time but I have also known those who decided that the law was just some piece of paper and crossed the line from justice to injustice. The one common thread behind all of these incidents is in my opinion a lack of training and compassion. Police are meant to save lives not just enforce laws or regulations. They, like our doctors and nurses, firefighters and paramedics have been chosen to represent us, the best of who we are. They choose each day to pick up that badge, that symbol of hope and stand between society and anarchy. Like our doctors and nurses go to school for years at a time so too should our defenders, they need robust training not just in how to take life but how and when to save that life. We are all just people, no matter the distinction given be it a badge or a toolbelt. We all have lives, we are all sons and daughters, cousins, friends or families and we must recognize this in each interaction between us. We must recognize that no matter our color, creed or country, we all matter. Each and every member of our society, contributes to that society everyday in surprising ways and each contribution is important. Justice as we all know is not perfect, its not just a conversation but a commitment to upholding the standards of law we set and to evolve those standards to bring more people under the wing of that protection. I have worked in the judicial system and have seen first hand its bright spots, the moments where true justice wins, and I have also seen how justice can be bought and sold behind the illusion of righteousness. It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that when our judicial system evolves it does so with the best interests of all of us at the forefront. I have been reading about the recent tragedies in the news, people like George Floyd whose death could have and should have been avoided. This was clearly injustice as the officer knelt on his neck and cut off his supply of oxygen when he was already on the ground in handcuffs. No matter the situation, police must use violence as the utmost last resort. From what I have heard this is being looked at as a racially biased incident. Justice is meant to be blind, it is meant to be blind to all things that make it unjust. Police cannot hold bias or display it openly for when they do our system becomes unjust. It becomes unjust not just for the victim, but their families, friends and society as a whole as we look again in horror at yet another beautiful person who never got to live up to their potential. Racism is dangerous as history has shown us time and time again. Its however not just dangerous to the victim of hate but it sends shockwaves throughout our society as hate begins to eclipse the good of the human spirit. We are and have always been one people, the only difference is not what is found on the outside but what is found in the beating heart of a stranger. Each of us has a choice everyday on who we are and who we will be. This choice can either make us and the world better or can reduce the potential of all of us with each word thought or action. We can be better, we can choose a better path towards respect and equality for all our people no matter the distinction. I believe, I believe in a world where we look at the differences between us not out of fear but look to those differences as a chance, an opportunity to evolve beyond the standards we set ourselves or those set for us. Those moments where we look past hate or fear are moments that bring us closer to one another, ourselves and our faith. These are our moments of Humanity, the human unity that connects us from past to present and that those moments help chart our futures. Each of us deserves a beautiful future, a future where you are judged not for the color or your skin, your religion or whom you love, but instead by the courage found within your beating heart. This future is a gift, a gift that we must bequeath one another. This most recent incident has caused widespread riots across the continent as good people rise to combat the hate of bias. I have heard reports that violence has erupted in some places and I humbly ask that no violence occur. The message you bring is one of change, of equality under the law, and if you use violence to deliver the message, then the message becomes lost in the hate. Instead, I ask that you stand together, stand for a better world where police become the thing we need them to be. Reach out to your governors and governments and start a change in how we train and oversee our police and that of our judicial system. It is up to each of us to make that change, to stand when all others have fallen, but we must do so peacefully or change will never come. To all the police out there I say this, be Paragons of Justice. Do not fall victim to the sway of bias or injustice. Be the best of us and show society that police are not all bad, there are good ones that will stand with the people and not against. Use that beautiful badge as a shield and not a hammer, use the badge to protect all people no matter their color. I believe in you and I know that despite a few bad badges the rest of you are wonderful people who choose everyday to be heroes. Be heroes for everyone, be Paragons of justice and stand against injustice even within your own ranks. Choose everyday to change injustice back into justice so that our society can evolve together in equality. "Do not kill if you can wound, do no would if you can subdue, do not subdue if you can pacify and don't raise your hand at all until you've extended it." - Wonder Woman. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2