Francis Chartrand for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

Journalists criticize much Nicolas Sarkozy, for some time. They say it is too much, too scattered, too bling bling.

But the president of France failed because of bad things in his career.

Take a look, February 3, 2003, when he was Minister of the Interior (the equivalent of our Minister of Public Safety), the husband of Carla Bruni went to Toulouse to meet with police. Here's what he told them:

"You're not social workers. Organize a game of rugby to the youth of the area is very good, but this is not the primary mission of the police. The primary mission of the police, the investigation, arrest, the fight against crime. "

EVERYONE HIS JOB

Some would say that what Sarko are backward. I find them as relevant to me and courageous.

Look at what is currently happening in Montreal North. To hear some speakers, the cops should spend their time playing basketball with the youth of the area and take coffee with residents! Is this their role? Is this why we pay?

You do not think they have more important things to do - like catching bandits, enforce the law and protect the population, for example?

Calls there social workers and managers youth centres to give tickets? No. So I do not see why we ask the cops to participate in competitions dance hip-hop with young people.

Everyone his job.

MR ROGERS

It is all very well, community policing, but a cop, not a scout. Neither a Knights of Columbus.

The mission of the police does not help p'tites old to cross the street or to help young people to organize a pool of hockey.

Yesterday, my colleague David Santerre we learned that traders Montreal-Nord live in terror. They must give a portion of their income to street gangs, they are robbed, mugged ...

You think that they are interested, you see the police play a Rock paper scissors in the schoolyard?

What some police lack heat, nobody is disputing. But from there to transform the cops in physical education teachers or educators in child care, there is a limit evil.

WE ARE SO FINE!

Mind you, this vision, candy pink, police work is not surprising. It fits perfectly into the general atmosphere of relaxation that prevails in Quebec.

Parents are friends. The teachers are leaders. The students are users of the education system. The State is a partner.

There is no proof of authority, we understand. It does not punish, forgive.

Why say no when you can say yes? Why risk being throw rocks when you can be like everyone else?

JUST A MIDDLE

I do not want the return of Dirty Harry. But between a policeman who walks with a Magnum in his belt and a cop who sells soccer balls, it seems to me that there is a balance.

If you are a policeman and you want to respond to this column, write me. I'll protect your anonymity.

"Go ahead, make my day."

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Labels: Richard Martineau

# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 7:22 AM