RETIRED JUSTICE O'CONNOR TO CONDUCT A "REVIEW" OF SAMMY YATIN MURDER

Isn't that just dandy? Not a public inquiry nor a coroner's inquest but a "review". Meanwhile the cop at the top (Blair) who's always defended police killings in the past is the one to appont Justice O'Connor. What the hell is that all about? What the hell is the mandate of a review? What the hell is this review on top of several others actually supposed to accomplish?

To date there is a mandatory review by the Police Chief (Blair)under the Police Services Act. Then there is the mandatory SIU or Special Investigations Unit investigation when police are involved in a serious injury or death of civilians. Finally the Provincial Ombudsman is also getting into the act. He is looking at what kind of direction Ontario provides police into the defusing of conflict situations.

All of this may very well distract the public from an unpalattable truth. Our police whether through law or practice have been given carte blanche to shoot and kill mentally or emotionally disturbed citizens. That is the bottom line. Obviously in a number of cases there was no immediate physical threat to either the public or police yet murder by cop has been permitted.

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys the story "Retired judge to conduct rare review into police training, procedures".