THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS BACK INTO DISREPUTE

This is the lead Editorial in today's Waterloo Region (K-W) Record " Unjam RCMP's records backlog ". The poor old Mounties are into it again. The Mounties over the last five years have been brought crashing down to earth. It seems as if once again it might not be the cream that rises to the top of human organizations. Apparently that which floats to the top of ponds at your local sewage treatment plant is exactly the same as that which rises to the top in many of our so called professional organizations. Could it be that even the Mounties and other police organizations are run by manipulative, politicking, self aggrandizing individuals? Gee sort of like our public school boards.

In this instance apparently the resources of the Mounties seemed to have slipped from frontline policing requirements and needs to somewhere else. They have been behind in posting criminal convictions to CPICS (Canadian Police Information Centre). They haven't been behind just recently or even a little behind. There were called on this backlog three years ago and they still haven't fixed it. Apparently Judges and Crown Attorneys rely on this information when it comes sentencing time for convicted persons. Apparently hardened criminals with extensive criminal records are getting lighter sentences because the Courts don't have up to date information regarding prior criminal convictions. Unbelievable ! Our judicial system is that badly organized and run. Perhaps before the federal Conservatives pass more "get tough on crime" legislation they might want to invest time and effort into maintaining the sytem they've already got.