Editor: Thank you for your editorial (The Times, June 5) on the work of the RCMP in the Angus Mitchell case.
I noticed that daily newspapers devoted many pages to the heroic actions of the RCMP during a very tense day (Wednesday, May 30), when they issued a warning about Mitchell, and then confronted him in Maple Ridge. Not only did these police officers from all divisions protect the citizens from further carnage by this individual, but they put themselves directly in harm’s way from a very dangerous person. They did not use their weapons until they were fired upon, and even then they participated in the attempts to save this man’s life, including calling for a life flight helicopter.
What I didn’t see in the dailies was a large headline expressing our gratitude as citizens for what they did for all us that day. I for one am so thankful that they were able to protect us all, as the day unfolded.
Recent news coverage has stated that RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson is displeased at being hamstrung in dealing with the few bad apples that make the news all of the time. He clearly points out that the RCMP Act needs to be changed to give him the power to carry out the actions that all of us — including a whole lot of RCMP members — want him to do.
I have a suggestion. Instead of publicly bashing the RCMP as a group, what the media and the citizens should be doing is turning the spotlight on the Members of Parliament who have the ability to make these changes. The RCMP are not the only professionals that have a few bad apples amongst them, but they are likely the only profession that can’t get rid of these people because of a law that needs to be changed.
By all means, publicly embarrass the RCMP member who acted inappropriately, but please don’t lump all of the amazing, hard-working people who put their lives on the line for us, and are there the minute we call 911. They deserve a public thank you.
Michelle Carduner,
Langley
