View From the Homeless Streets

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 advocate for the homeless one becomes familiar with the less that 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 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 spokesperson’s 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.

# posted by James W Breckenridge : 6:21 AM