This Blog will discuss politics, government, corruption, police, S.I.U., courts, education, min. of attorney general, min. of labour, v.o.i.c.e. and other current and past events of interest to concerned citizens. In the "About me" section to the right and down I have included the names of persons whom I have tremendous respect for. Their influence on me however has been primarily environmental (and personal) and this is therefore a disclaimer that all words posted on this Blog/Website are mine and I alone am responsible for them. I say this with the greatest respect and affection to my friends.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

OFFICER FALSETTO DEMOTED FOR POT OFFENCES



Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Police Officer demoted for pot offences". There are a number of interesting items in this article which I would like to point out. Firstly Supt. Paul Pedersen of York Regional Police stated "She no longer feels she must fit in with the bravado (police) culture". This Supt. was part of the police tribunal which imposed the demotion and drug testing sentence upon Officer Falsetto. This is an interesting admission that I think should be seriously considered and looked into. Clearly this Officer and others have not been well served by that culture. Secondly Supt. Pedersen stated that he felt that public confidence could be restored through the "transparent" tribunal process. O.K. personally I'm a great believer in transparency and yes I'll go so far as to say that it does help restore confidence. But.... I'd really like to know the history, say the past twenty years at the Waterloo Regional Police. Have these multiple issues and problems with our Officers over the last few years been aberations or is this just an ongoing merry go round?

Constable Falsetto is alleged to have had a mental illness (depression) for a considerable length of time. The impression given by her and other officers mentioned in the Record was that she and they received little or no support at work. I would like to know if that is agreed/disputed and regardless if the WRPS are intending to increase timely assistance and intervention with their officers prior to a crisis occuring. We would all like to think that our officers are physically, emotionally and mentally more stable, not less, than the majority of the rest of us. The proof is in the pudding as far as public confidence in the Waterloo Regional Police Force. Let's see over the next few years whether officer breakdowns or crises can be handled in a more professional, proactive manner. Officers breaking the law, even unpopular laws are tough to swallow. Officers on the job who are hurting big time mentally or emotionally are a time bomb waiting to go off.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 13, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox1_woO3Jh8

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  2. AlanNovember 13, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    I watched the youtube video which consists of a Fox Newscast about a police pfficer who phoned 911 after baking and consuming brownies from marijuana. Apparently he thought he was dying as a result. Well he wasn't dying but he did end up getting fired and giving the newscasters quite a chuckle in regards to his calling 911. I'm not sure if my Anonymous commenter is suggesting that the whole thing is a big giggle or that Officer Falsetto should have been fired.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 14, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    " We would all like to think that our officers are physically, emotionally and mentally more stable, not less, than the majority of the rest of us" - have you ever done research on mental illness and emergency services workers. Probably not. Police officers are human and mental illness affects 1 in 5...this doesn't exclude cops. Working in that type of culture, you NEVER come forward. If you do you're shunned from all you work with. Times need to change when it comes to someone suffering. But you are right when you say they are a walking time bomb. Did you know the OPP had more suicides then on the job deaths as well in a recent study?? Also a Waterloo Regional officer who took his own life several years ago, which was brushed under the carpet. He asked to leave the unit he was in several times. He came forward with issues, and look what happened.
    Police Services need not look at the act itself, but WHY it happened! Sure it's criminal. But an addict is an addict. What about all the police officers who drink and drive, get caught, arrested AND still keep their jobs. Drinking and Driving is illegal but just because alcohol isn't illegal does that make it more right??
    I strongly believe things need to change when it comes to ALL emergency service workers. Police, Fire, Paramedics, Nurses etc... they are all human. And some people are pre-disposed to mental illnesses. We wouldn't have enough people to cover the jobs IF you think they all should be stronger people. Its the fact that programs need to be in place when someone is struggling! plain and simple.

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  4. AlanNovember 15, 2012 at 4:13 AM

    Agreed.

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