Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2012
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2012 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Chris Buors

STAY POLITICALLY NEUTRAL

Re: Politically neutral police (Letters, April 3).

I wholeheartedly agree with Francisco Valenzuela that police as 
enforcers of the law should have no political opinions while in 
uniform, though they should be permitted to express opinions and 
political support as individuals out of uniform.

I believe it was the Winnipeg Police Association as a union endorsing 
Mayor Sam Katz rather than the Winnipeg Police Service itself for 
which police Chief McCaskill speaks.

As a political activist speaking for the repeal of drug prohibition, 
it was always very intimidating for me when the press ran to the 
police for their opinion on the issue rather than finding a political 
opponent who supports the status quo. Even worse was that police 
expressed their opinions while in uniform. No one should ever have to 
fear the police when trying to bring about political change.

Chris Buors Winnipeg
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom