TIME TO THROW THE BOOK AT CANADA'S HARDENED CRIMINALS

The shooting death of four Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in
rural Alberta has shocked the world.

Not since the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 have so many members of
Canada's national police force been killed in the line of duty in a
single day.

The four junior officers were investigating a tip of stolen goods and
a possible marijuana grow-op at a small farm 130-kilometres northwest
of Edmonton when they were attacked by a mad gunman.

The gunfight was brief and in a few moments all four officers were
fatally wounded. Officers later found the body of the gunman, who had
apparently shot himself after murdering the four officers.

It was a senseless crime committed by a disturbed individual who had
previous run-ins with the law. Jim Roszko, 46, was known to be violent
and had a passion for guns.

So how did Roszko -- described as "a wicked devil" by his own father
- -- get possession of lethal weapons that he was obviously prepared to
use? Why was Roszko growing dope on the family farm when many locals
believed he was still in jail?

Why were so few officers involved when 20 still would not be enough to
ensure their collective security?

Did the National Gun Registry perform as it should have in protecting
the officers from harm?

There are more questions than answers at this time but one can be sure
someone will get to the bottom of this. And when those questions are
answered, it will be up to our legislators to take action to reduce
the chances of this ever happening again.

Our national police force is charged with protecting the public good
even in the most remote parts of the country but it is also common
knowledge that there aren't enough officers to fill the necessary
positions in many provinces and territories, including Nova Scotia.
And when we see the dismantling of the local drug section, there is
even more cause for concern given that Roszko was also being
investigated for growing dope.

It's a sad commentary but the death of these four officers may just be
the candle needed to be lit under our legislators to change the
current justice system into something more formidable. It may just be
the catalyst for positive change in the Criminal Code so lawbreakers
are not merely given a slap on the wrist.

Roszko is beyond prosecuting but there are a great number of
small-time hoods out there who may be deterred from a further life of
crime if they know judges will throw the book at them. And it is up to
our lawmakers to ensure that book will be heavy with effective
penalties in the fight against crime.