Re: Forcillo trial

George Balogh | Feb 03, 2016

Coming from a police family where my father worked the street gangs unit of a major city and my uncle worked narcotics, I look hard and long into the absurdity of what has passed as due process in the Forcillo trial. This is uncomplicated if you break it down ethically.

Firstly, Constable Forcillo showed no oversight and did not evaluate the situation he walked into with a youth armed with a knife on a streetcar. The streetcar itself was a form of incarceration. So long as this boy was on the streetcar, he could harm no one!

Secondly, we see civilians accepting the concept of "volleys" of gunfire as acceptable police procedure. As a firearms instructor myself, I will tell you that when he unholstered his pistol that was the first step toward lethal force. ONE round fired, maybe he was unnerved. But THREE rounds fired--the intent is to serve up the effects of lethal force. However, seconds later--SIX rounds?

If the court cannot adequately deal with "intent" here there is a more expedient way.

Constable Forcillo should be dismissed from the force for dishonorable conduct unbecoming a Toronto Police Constable and unnecessary use of lethal force. The simple viewing of the transit security video clearly shows there was no immediate threat to himself or others as Sammy did not try to exit the streetcar. Forcillo has shown himself UNFIT FOR SERVICE due to exercising poor critical thinking skills by his rush to judgment.

Unfortunately, we Canadians seem to lack the moral fiber to call this what it is--an execution. And when the police serve up immediate judgment, there is no place for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for it becomes null and void—by police direct action!!