As an Activist, many people that I come into contact with have varying experiences and based on this, some of them forge some fairly solid opinions.
Following the inquest verdict in the case of Mark Duggan, someone made a comment to me that they believe that it is them and us when it comes to the Justice System.
Indeed looking at many past cases and importantly some recent cases such as the Kingsley Burrell case, where the CPS has made a decision not to prosecute anyone at all at present, in some serious circumstances. One can only admit that continual decisions of this nature only add fuel to the fire that there appears to be a ‘Two tier Justice System’.
Basically, once an individual puts on a Uniform, does that render them above the law of the land? After all, the law is there for everyone is it not?
Some are of the opinion, that in the case of the Police they are there to uphold the law at any cost, so if someone dies its collateral damage, supposedly.
Clearly, this is a sorry state of affairs, if once an individual looses their life in these circumstances, especially, when they come into contact with the Police, then there appears to be an issue, that isn’t being addressed, hence damaging trust and confidence.
Three recent matters in the public eye come to mind, the case of Kingsley Burrell and the case of Lloyd Butler, despite highlighting very serious failings, no-one held to account.
The case of Cherry Groce, which was one of the catalysts in the Brixton Riots, died waiting for any accountability whatsoever, and tit was only after an inquest, where the family had to campaign for legal aid to be granted for representation at the inquest, finally had an apology from the Metropolitan Police, following the inquest verdict, which is too little too late for Cherry Groce.
The main point of this is that it has taken some 30 years for this to happen.
The case dominating social media of Eric Garner, loosing his life as the result of a choke hold administered by Police in New York, despite him crying out that he can’t breathe, also taking into account that choke holds have been banned by the NYPD.
Is it then the case once any Police Officer puts on a uniform, they become immune from the law if it is deemed that they are carrying out their duties, irrespective whether the circumstances are questionable or not.
Clearly, one has to wonder and ask yourself one question, if the table were turned, I expect many of us would be serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
In my opinion, the playing field appears to be lop sided for some reason.
May be this could be a point for debate in the forthcoming West Midlands Police & crime Commissioner Elections, scheduled for 21st August 2014.
Therefore, is the argument of a two tier justice system a myth or an invisible reality that is being fuelled with inexplicable decisions, by the authorities?
Desmond Jaddoo
Following the inquest verdict in the case of Mark Duggan, someone made a comment to me that they believe that it is them and us when it comes to the Justice System.
Indeed looking at many past cases and importantly some recent cases such as the Kingsley Burrell case, where the CPS has made a decision not to prosecute anyone at all at present, in some serious circumstances. One can only admit that continual decisions of this nature only add fuel to the fire that there appears to be a ‘Two tier Justice System’.
Basically, once an individual puts on a Uniform, does that render them above the law of the land? After all, the law is there for everyone is it not?
Some are of the opinion, that in the case of the Police they are there to uphold the law at any cost, so if someone dies its collateral damage, supposedly.
Clearly, this is a sorry state of affairs, if once an individual looses their life in these circumstances, especially, when they come into contact with the Police, then there appears to be an issue, that isn’t being addressed, hence damaging trust and confidence.
Three recent matters in the public eye come to mind, the case of Kingsley Burrell and the case of Lloyd Butler, despite highlighting very serious failings, no-one held to account.
The case of Cherry Groce, which was one of the catalysts in the Brixton Riots, died waiting for any accountability whatsoever, and tit was only after an inquest, where the family had to campaign for legal aid to be granted for representation at the inquest, finally had an apology from the Metropolitan Police, following the inquest verdict, which is too little too late for Cherry Groce.
The main point of this is that it has taken some 30 years for this to happen.
The case dominating social media of Eric Garner, loosing his life as the result of a choke hold administered by Police in New York, despite him crying out that he can’t breathe, also taking into account that choke holds have been banned by the NYPD.
Is it then the case once any Police Officer puts on a uniform, they become immune from the law if it is deemed that they are carrying out their duties, irrespective whether the circumstances are questionable or not.
Clearly, one has to wonder and ask yourself one question, if the table were turned, I expect many of us would be serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
In my opinion, the playing field appears to be lop sided for some reason.
May be this could be a point for debate in the forthcoming West Midlands Police & crime Commissioner Elections, scheduled for 21st August 2014.
Therefore, is the argument of a two tier justice system a myth or an invisible reality that is being fuelled with inexplicable decisions, by the authorities?
Desmond Jaddoo