POLICE CAN'T 'ABUSE' PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE IN CERTAIN
GROUPS

EDITOR, THE TIMES:

It was not really surprising to view the video of the Abbotsford
Police Department officers using excessive physical force in arresting
two suspects.

When you have been homeless and-or an advocate for the homeless, one
becomes familiar with the less than professional behaviour exhibited
by some APD officers.

Given the treatment of the homeless and others perceived as powerless,
seeing the video of the offices walking on, kicking, standing on the
neck of and driving the face of the suspect into the ground was not
surprising at all.

Moreover, it was not the physical assault that was the most disturbing
aspect of this incident.

No, what was most disturbing was the APD spokesman's (Ian MacDonald)
repeatedly uttering of the reminder that the suspects were arrested on
drug dealing charges - as if this fact made the use of excessive force
acceptable.

The spokesperson's statements suggest that the APD has a cultural
attitude that it is acceptable behaviour to abuse people who belong to
certain groups. It is not.

The APD needs to be told by city council and citizens that everyone
officers deal with must be treated in a professional matter.

James W. Breckenridge,

Abbotsford