| Re: "Abuse of power," by Adrian Morrow, News, May 17-23, 2007.
Thank you so much for your piece on Calgary city police malfeasance. The mainstream media avoids this topic while they act as a mouthpiece for emergency service. Admittedly, the police here are better than average. Nevertheless, the most violent crime I have ever observed in this city was at the hands of the police against a native man. As your article suggests, the only answer is an independent review of their hijinks.
Recently, I was the subject of a wrongful arrest in which my house was swarmed by gun-wielding police. They may have been attempting stealth, but I watched their clumsy Keystone antics from my front window. In order to prevent my door from being battered I went outside where I was greeted with a defender (pistol-grip shotgun) to the head. The young uniform was trembling and shaky as I lay face down on the alley gravel with the barrel of the gun at the base of my skull. As I was raised to my feet with several more young police males swarming my threatening, middle-aged, cuffed corpulence, I couldn't help but break into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. They did not like this. "Did you think it was funny when those towers came down?" was one comment made.
Eventually, I spoke to a more senior (officer). He quickly deduced that a mistake had been made. As close as I got to an apology was his comment "of course you realize that we can't be too careful." On reflection, I would say that, yes, you can be too careful. I am convinced that if I was not a white, middle-aged male in a "nice" neighbourhood with a command of English that the outcome of the situation could have been tragically different.
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