HARPER WRONG TO ASK POLICE TO LOBBY

Police officers across Canada should politely decline Prime Minister
Stephen Harper's invitation to become active political allies in his
quest to toughen an array of criminal laws.

In a speech Thursday, Harper urged police officers to use their
considerable numbers and position in society to lobby opposition
parties. But such a call to arms, metaphoricaly speaking, is both
inappropriate and dangerous. It could fuel speculation that the prime
minister has far too cosy a relationship with the top brass of the
RCMP and other police forces.

The Canadian public deserves to feel confident that their police
forces keep to their assigned role as objective, apolitical peace
officers who respect the rule and the spirit of the law.