Pubdate: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 Source: Nelson Daily News (Canada) Contact: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/ Author: Ron Brock Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n415.a09.html and http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n421.a04.html CHIEF BROCK RESPONDS TO HOLY SMOKE RULING To the Editor: In my eleven year tenure as Chief Constable of the Nelson City Police Department I have not deemed it appropriate or potentially beneficial to participate in media rhetoric. However, considering the nature of the comments concerning the Holy Smoke investigation, alleging significant flaws in both officer's character and the department in more general terms, I feel it would be inappropriate to sit mute. I would like to begin by acknowledging that whether your profession be that of Judge, police officer, housewife, lawyer, or mechanic our constitution allows you not only the opportunity to form your own opinions, but to express them publicly if you so choose. Many of our decisions in life are based on our personal opinion based on a specific incident. I believe such is the case on this occasion. Individuals have formed opinions and aired them publicly. One must concede that some opinions warrant public disclosure in that the community is entitled to an explanation when a high profile decision is rendered. However, history has shown us that even the opinions of some of the world's most prominent individuals have proven to be flawed. Police officers are routinely required to make split second decisions. They are also often required, by the very nature of the investigation, to make decisions given a very short time frame. That was the case in this investigation. Do they make mistakes on occasion? Yes. What is of interest is that most often those that review the officers' actions take days, weeks, even months to analytically dissect these officers' decisions. Most importantly, even if the officers were in error, and I most certainly don't concur they were, in my opinion they were acting in good faith to uphold their commitment to serve and protect the citizens of this community. When reference is made to investigations (plural) being done with more professionalism based on one investigation (singular), I suggest the comment has little merit. Further, when a comment concerning improvements around the police station is made, once again I suggest we are subject to one person's opinion based on what, I have no idea, other than one investigation. In summary, let me thank the many citizens who have expresed their support for the officers concerned and the department in general, and their consternation with many of the comments. You come from all walks of life including legal professionals very familiar with the officers involved. Ron Brock Chief Constable Nelson City Police Department - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck