Letter to the editor: Police use of force is a last resort

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Re: Ottawa cops used force against Black and Middle Eastern residents disproportionately, according to 2022 report, online, Jan. 19

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According to the data from their use of force report, Ottawa police applied this method more times against Blacks and Middle Eastern groups.

There is a reason for this and it is not because these people are non-white; it is because some have posed a threat to the public, themselves or the cop involved in the situation. The police don’t start their shifts every day looking to Taser, shoot or use their baton on certain groups of people; it is done for a reason, and that is to suppress a threat.

It is no secret that, when people arrive in a new country like Canada, most are hard-working and law-abiding. However, many start off living in poorer or disenfranchised communities, making them vulnerable to criminal groups, and some ending up joining their ranks.

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It was like that way back with the Irish. The police don’t go looking for trouble, they try to stop it before it gets out of hand.

STEPHEN FLANAGAN

OTTAWA

STOP COMPLAINING

Each day all I read is complaints about everything from people who offer zero solutions to what they are complaining about.

It is easy to point out what is wrong, but the real leaders offer solutions or help to fix the problems.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected three times in Canada, so stop complaining about what he is doing.

What happened to: “We are in this together?”

TROY TING

OTTAWA

NEXT UP, REAL ESTATE?

I imagine Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s next job will be as a real-estate agent. “Um, err, ahh, I’m sorry this house costs $10 million, but the last prime minister pretended there was no housing crisis, and, by the way, don’t worry, that broken balcony will balance itself.”

TERRY TOLL

CAMPBELL’S BAY, QUE.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca . Include your first and last name AND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

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