Ryan Tocher, a Hamilton police officer who the SIU likely has on speed dial, is being investigated for a third time by the ostensibly impotent unit, this time for his involvement in the death of an unarmed Phonesay (Pun) Chanthachack, who was shot earlier this month while behind the wheel of his van.
What's the old saying, Three strikes and you're out?
Meanwhile, police in Toronto are outraged over the fact that one of their own, Const. David Cavanagh, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Eric Osawe, who was shot in the back two years ago.
Toronto Police Association union president Mike McCormack called the murder charge “over the top,” saying there is no new evidence against the 35-year-old officer. “The Crown has had this case for two years. Nothing has changed,” he told reporters.
“My concern right now is that membership and police officers who work in the city have lost confidence in the process.”
Perhaps this loss of confidence McCormack refers to will lead to some empathy on the part of officers, as now they might begin to understand what the public has felt after being witness to some very questionable police actions these past many years.
Shouldn't one be considered to be "armed" if they are driving a vehicle directly towards someone? And three strikes? Mr. Tocher was cleared in the two previous incidents.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it has yet been determined that the deceased was driving the vehicle towards Tocher. Very few details have thus far been released, to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteRight, few details have been released because there is an SIU investigation taking place. His name should have been released at the end of the investigation, rather than being leaked to the media with no chance to defend himself.
ReplyDeleteAs a citizen of Hamilton, I am glad to know the names of the HPS Officers who are involved in confrontations which escalate to levels of violence where a citizen is either harmed or killed. For my own safety and the safety of my family, if I ever get pulled over by HPS Constable Ryan Tocher, I'm pre-dialing 9-1 on my phone.
DeleteRichard Dausch
Wise but ... It won't help. His cop buddies cover up for him. Cops and paramedics won't answer calls if they know he's involved.
DeleteCreepTOCHER makes over $100k/yr of OUR TAX DOLLARS to beat on vulnerable people. Pathetic buddy-cops have got him off on two deaths and a severe injury case. Another one is pending.
On the other hand, given the police practice of not co-operating with SIU investigations, the conclusion of the investigation could be in the distant future, and citizens need to be as informed as possible about police activities; not to subject them to public scrutiny increases the possibilities of the abuse of power, something that was sadly evident, for example, during the G20 in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteI was a friend of phonesay and I can say with a hundred percent he would not have tried to drive or injure an officer. He was a great person. Yes he had problems, made unwise decisions before but who hasn't. Completely not necessary to take phonesays life. This officer definatly needs to pay for the pain he has caused. This so called police force is corrupt. Very discusted !
ReplyDeleteI agree .. :'( R.I.paradise cousin.
ReplyDelete