News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: Editorial: Give RCMP Time to Investigate |
Title: | CN AB: Editorial: Give RCMP Time to Investigate |
Published On: | 2005-03-08 |
Source: | Edmonton Journal (CN AB) |
Fetched On: | 2008-08-20 17:31:22 |
GIVE RCMP TIME TO INVESTIGATE
Capable, thorough RCMP investigators are doing their best to uncover
the facts around the tragic slaying of four officers near Rochfort
Bridge. As eager as Albertans may be to understand and draw
conclusions, we must wait -- patiently and confidently -- for them to
complete their reconstruction and analysis of events.
The deaths of the four brave officers -- Peter Schiemann, 25, Anthony
Gordon, 28, Brock Myrol, 29, and Leo Johnston, 32 -- will not be in
vain if we learn as much as possible about what led up to the
shooting. Only when that process is complete can we discuss what, if
anything, might have been done differently.
There is already too much uninformed second-guessing of decisions made
by the four officers last Wednesday night and Thursday morning. RCMP
spokesman Wayne Oakes is rightly frustrated by the "armchair
quarterbacking" of the investigation. "How these people outside the
process are able to offer expert opinion baffles me," he told
reporters Monday.
It's natural for people to ask "What if ... ?" Sometimes hindsight can
provide helpful insight. But so far, there is no reason to believe,
for example, that the most experienced personnel on the force would
have anticipated and avoided Roszko's cold-blooded ambush on the basis
of evidence available beforehand.
Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko is the latest to join a
chorus of voices calling for a halt to federal plans to decriminalize
the use of marijuana in the wake of the tragedy. That's unfortunate.
Marijuana laws may indeed need to be reviewed, but targeting them in
this case will only divert attention from other pressing issues.
Roszko was obviously an unbalanced crook with a hand in many criminal
activities, a convicted pedophile, quick-tempered and quick to resort
to violence.
Yes, the RCMP officers uncovered a marijuana grow-op at the farm. But
they also discovered stolen car parts.
The fatal chain of events started with the arrival of an Edmonton
bailiff trying to seize a newly purchased truck because of credit
problems. Police wisely went and got a search warrant when they
realized what they had stumbled on. They spent until the early hours
of Thursday morning seizing evidence.
A more pressing question than the precise nature of Roszko's criminal
enterprises is how a man with a reputation for violence managed to get
his hands on such a powerful gun, described in some reports as a
military assault rifle.
There are other security issues for small towns faced with violent
bullies like Roszko. If charges were dropped against him in the early
1990s because he intimidated witnesses, that's a disturbing and
serious failure of the justice system, and one that demands action.
Imagine the problem such a person could pose to a small community
where everyone knows everyone else.
Mayerthorpe Mayor Albert Schalm is quite right when he says: "It
wasn't the town's fault. It wasn't the RCMP's fault. It could have
happened anywhere."
Each killing involving a police officer has its own dynamics, and each
has its own lessons. For example, the 2001 shooting of Const. Dennis
Strongquill in Russell, Manitoba resulted in RCMP being equipped with
high-powered rifles. Doubtless, there will be useful lessons of some
sort to emerge from this tragedy as well.
As Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said Monday, "These four
officers did not die in vain.
"The force, a very special family, will continue to serve and continue
to keep Canadians safe wherever they live. No other country in the
world can with such confidence take such pride in its national police
force."
Capable, thorough RCMP investigators are doing their best to uncover
the facts around the tragic slaying of four officers near Rochfort
Bridge. As eager as Albertans may be to understand and draw
conclusions, we must wait -- patiently and confidently -- for them to
complete their reconstruction and analysis of events.
The deaths of the four brave officers -- Peter Schiemann, 25, Anthony
Gordon, 28, Brock Myrol, 29, and Leo Johnston, 32 -- will not be in
vain if we learn as much as possible about what led up to the
shooting. Only when that process is complete can we discuss what, if
anything, might have been done differently.
There is already too much uninformed second-guessing of decisions made
by the four officers last Wednesday night and Thursday morning. RCMP
spokesman Wayne Oakes is rightly frustrated by the "armchair
quarterbacking" of the investigation. "How these people outside the
process are able to offer expert opinion baffles me," he told
reporters Monday.
It's natural for people to ask "What if ... ?" Sometimes hindsight can
provide helpful insight. But so far, there is no reason to believe,
for example, that the most experienced personnel on the force would
have anticipated and avoided Roszko's cold-blooded ambush on the basis
of evidence available beforehand.
Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko is the latest to join a
chorus of voices calling for a halt to federal plans to decriminalize
the use of marijuana in the wake of the tragedy. That's unfortunate.
Marijuana laws may indeed need to be reviewed, but targeting them in
this case will only divert attention from other pressing issues.
Roszko was obviously an unbalanced crook with a hand in many criminal
activities, a convicted pedophile, quick-tempered and quick to resort
to violence.
Yes, the RCMP officers uncovered a marijuana grow-op at the farm. But
they also discovered stolen car parts.
The fatal chain of events started with the arrival of an Edmonton
bailiff trying to seize a newly purchased truck because of credit
problems. Police wisely went and got a search warrant when they
realized what they had stumbled on. They spent until the early hours
of Thursday morning seizing evidence.
A more pressing question than the precise nature of Roszko's criminal
enterprises is how a man with a reputation for violence managed to get
his hands on such a powerful gun, described in some reports as a
military assault rifle.
There are other security issues for small towns faced with violent
bullies like Roszko. If charges were dropped against him in the early
1990s because he intimidated witnesses, that's a disturbing and
serious failure of the justice system, and one that demands action.
Imagine the problem such a person could pose to a small community
where everyone knows everyone else.
Mayerthorpe Mayor Albert Schalm is quite right when he says: "It
wasn't the town's fault. It wasn't the RCMP's fault. It could have
happened anywhere."
Each killing involving a police officer has its own dynamics, and each
has its own lessons. For example, the 2001 shooting of Const. Dennis
Strongquill in Russell, Manitoba resulted in RCMP being equipped with
high-powered rifles. Doubtless, there will be useful lessons of some
sort to emerge from this tragedy as well.
As Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan said Monday, "These four
officers did not die in vain.
"The force, a very special family, will continue to serve and continue
to keep Canadians safe wherever they live. No other country in the
world can with such confidence take such pride in its national police
force."
Member Comments |
No member comments available...