W5: Cops Above the Law, Part One- Special Investigations Unit (S.I.U)

Equality before the law is a simple and fundamental premise of the legal system, but some critics say there is one group that still appears to be more equal than others -- police officers.

Source/Credit: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/WFive/20110408/w5-above-the-law-110409/

W5: No Random Stop: What Happened during W5's investigation of SIU
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/WFive/20110407/w5-above-the-law2-110409/

A 21-year battle between Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, police forces, and various police associations has left the SIU a "toothless tiger," according to some.

Responsible for investigating police officers involved in the serious injury or death of civilians, critics say the SIU hasn't been able to do its job because of police interference condoned and even encouraged by police associations.

Police stations use to have signs encouraging police not to co-operate with the SIU. "The SIU is not there to look after your best interests," the union warns in signs posted at police stations.

source: Globe and mail archived article February 15, 1999
http://www.walnet.org/jane_doe/news/toronto_99/gandm-990215.html


Ombudsman André Marin called the SIU "a toothless tiger and muzzled watchdog" that conducts investigations with a police bias.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/police/article/709815--ombudsman-slams-...

Police forces across Ontario are thumbing their noses at the provincial agency that investigates cops, refusing to cooperate with or even respond to the Special Investigations Unit, documents obtained by the Toronto Star show. Feb 22, 2011
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/943363--star-exclusive-police-ignore-siu-...

In its 20-year history, the SIU has conducted at least 3,400 investigations and laid criminal charges after only 95 of them, according to a Star analysis. The SIU does not track what happens to those it charges. But the Star has, and found only 16 officers have been convicted of a crime. Only three have seen the inside of a jail
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/882189--are-these-cops-above-the-law

The SIU employs 54 full- and part-time investigators, of whom 47 are former police officers.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/882725--siu-cases-unequal-j...

Peel police seek to block SIU sex assault probe
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/878649--peel-police-seek-to-block-siu-sex...

Peel police chief takes SIU battle to top court
http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/994314--peel-police-chief-takes-siu...

Ontario's criminal justice system heavily favours police and gives officers breaks at every turn — from the SIU, which hardly ever charges officers, to prosecutors, juries and judges. Where civilians causing similar damage are typically prosecuted, cops walk.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/882189--are-these-cops-above-the-law

The head of the SIU, Ian Scott, defended his agency in an interview with the Star but said, "Police officers get all kinds of breaks in the (criminal justice) system."
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/882189--are-these-cops-above-the-law

Law Society dismisses complaint against SIU:
The association representing 33,000 front-line police officers in Ontario has accused the head of the province's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Ian Scott of "destroying public confidence in the criminal justice system" with a "bias against police officers."
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/943845--law-society-dismisses-complaint-a...

The province's Special Investigations Unit and its director Ian Scott are charging more cops across the province to "fulfill a political agenda," Toronto's police union boss Mike McCormack charges.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/10/30/11575806-sun.html

Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, has been fined five days — or 40 hours — on his conviction of insubordination while a member of the police service.

McCormack was charged for running the name of former Star reporter John Duncanson, an award-winning journalist who specialized in covering police corruption, through three law enforcement databases in January 2008.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/801636--police-union-president-...


Police union casts private eyes on SIU , Officers want their own investigations into incidents - John Duncanson January 22, 1999
http://www.walnet.org/jane_doe/news/toronto_99/torstar-990122.html

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• W5
• Special Investigations Unit
• SIU
• Ian Scott
• André Marin
• toothless tiger
• above the law series
• police association
• Police Union
• Toronto Police
• OPP
• RCMP

[TheSecretStore]

7:07 - The Secret Store (Guy on the left) time after time has found problems, and keeps an eye on Police oversight, we the Citizens of Ontario demand equal Justice and accountability in our legal system! No one is above the law, not even cops.

[325krista]

R.I.P Gregg Moynagh, my daughters friend shot to death by Peel Police suffered mental illness AND the cop was let off....anybody else would be charged with murder!!!



[LUCA7FOLD]

Police = biggest street gang in america

[rforganica]

@TheSecretStore cops lie all the time on the stand after swearin an oath.. they are part a part of the law and its easier to be above it..the cop willnearly always be believed...the defendant needs proof but a cop can just say "yes that did happen" or " no that didnt happen"

[DjCapnWolf]

@hawkdreaming Will do! Thank you! You, too. Love and Honor. =)

[demented669]

@sirbizzyd3 when a police officer starts to talk to them learn how to put them on there oath and have a video record you talking to them and putting them on there oaths, this why they can not lie about you not asking them if they are going to honor there oath to the Queen in none US common law country and in the US it's there oath to the constitution.

this is not legal advice go find many videos on your right here on youtube

[sirbizzyd3]

@demented669 And how do you expect to hold them to their oath ?

[hawkdreaming]

@DjCapnWolf  thank you ... journey well my friend and brother... here we go:)! love and honor

[DjCapnWolf]

@hawkdreaming Yes, I think I see what you mean. Through these dark times and deeds, we are forced to look deep within ourselves and realize what really matters. All the murders and hunger and oppression (and the like) going on in the world... all of that only serves to make us more aware and, ultimately, more responsible.

We have very tough teachers, indeed. Plus, aren't we co-creators of this game? ;)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, friend. There is wisdom in your words. =)

[DjCapnWolf]

@hawkdreaming Thank you for your words. I agree. I believe the difference between the wolf and deer, and the cops in this case, is huge. Animals kill out of instinct, nature, and survival (they basically kill in order to feed). Cruel, yes, but natural. Cops killing an innocent man, that's just plain criminal. Yet it helps us to understand that we must review and rethink our ways, both as individuals and as a species. Violence is not the answer. Love is. =)

[TheSilverWatch]

@ytgv3fc7 You mean,...the regular non-human corporate PIG impression?