Watchdog orders Probe of police chief

Opinion/Editorial
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Police Complaints Commissioner Dirk Ryneveld and Pivot's executive director John Richardson both intelligent men with a purpose of good vs evil perhaps lean too much on DTES citizens outlandish claims of torture and kidnapping by VPD officers. Granted, if there are a few in the department who still work within the law, but may not be Choir Boys, society must realise these officers work under very difficult and stressful circumstances. So to accuse a much admired man such as VPD's Graham complicity into the mix every time countless abuse complaints are laid, will tie up valuable resources on both sides. What constitutes abuse by some in DTES, may not be viewed as abuse by others in society or in the courts.

VPD's role is to try and control the public peace under extremely difficult circumstances.
The environment created by the DTES citizens is their own doing, not VPDs.
When DTES encroach the rights of others such as harrassing citizens and local businesses, VPD's role is to intervene immediately. That is what we the public pay them to do.

In ending, if and when the investigation vindicates VPD's Jamie Graham due to DTES Crying Wolf every time, may unfortunately render Pivot Society to "Crackpot Status", joining the ranks of the Anti Poverty Committee who unrealistically blame the world for their ills.