Mark Schatzker of The Globe noted this week the launch of a new website, JudgeMyCop. Given the scrutiny towards police officers in the GTA following the G20, it's no surprise that there are Schatzker provides a few amusing parodies of the conflicts, both on the side of law enforcement and the side of the protesters.
Also not surprising, the still emerging blog already has a couple of entries related to the G20, largely links to mainstream media. But many of the existing officer reviews on the site largely deal with what appear to be legitimate offences, dealt with perhaps in a more gruff manner than ideal, but otherwise properly.
The site was founded by a 21-year-old McMaster business student, Andre Borys, who himself was the recipient of a $60 ticket. Although Borys acknowledges the offence was legitimate, he wanted the officer to be more polite to him.
Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, understandably has expressed some misgivings,
I’m concerned whenever there are negative, one-sided comments about our officers that could encourage some sort of negative behaviour towards police.
On public domain blogs people obviously have certain rights and freedom of expression, but we’ll be monitoring it to ensure that it doesn’t cross the line and become a legal issue.
Complaints during the G20 have already become a legal issue for some Toronto police. Const. Adam Josephs has a current case before the courts for $1.2 million over protesters who labeled him "Officer Bubbles" and made allegedly defamatory statements about him in the context of the G20.
However, many of those affected by the G20 are finding their complaints are not properly being investigated, largely due to budgetary and financial constraints. They are even frequently being referred to the same agency they have issues with, resulting in rather pessimistic expectations of any equitable outcome.
If citizens cannot get some form of resolution from public inquiries or investigations, they will obviously turn to the Internet to express their frustrations. The implications internally for officers who consistently receive negative reviews over a long period of time is yet to be determined.
What JudgeMyCop does confirm yet again is that reputation management law is still the next big thing.
Respond: make a comment
Share:
Email
|
Save as PDF | Print
|
Bookmark & Share
|
|
More: in Practice of Law: Future of Practice or Technology: Internet | from Omar Ha-Redeye
|
the count:
8281 posts | 11497 comments
recent comments  
As Richard Ferguson, a lawyer friend of ours says on his email message: “People may forget what you said…. People may forget what you did…. but people will never forget … »»Practice There are two possible approaches to personal current awareness: Develop excellent searching skills so that you can find what you need when you need it Pick a fairly narrow specialty … »»Research “It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating” was said once by Oscar Wilde. The final tip in this series is the capstone issue in our … »»Practice
-
Available online today are four new chapters of the publication Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, which explores the socio-demographic and economic circumstances of Canadian women in general.
-
The bill amends the Constitution Act, 1867 by readjusting the number of members and the representation of the provinces in the House of Commons.
-
-
Blueseed plans to buy a ship and turn it into a floating incubator anchored in international waters off the coast of California.
-
Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the flow of information out of Ottawa has slowed to a trickle.
-
-
"…the IPC has exclusive jurisdiction to decide whether a record is in the custody or control of a university in the context of an access request…"
-
-
John J.L. Hunter, Q.C. of Vancouver has been elected President for 2011-2012
-
Detailed results from 321 members.
These summaries of selected recent cases are provided each week to Slaw by Maritime Law Book.
More information.
-
Limitation of Actions - Actions in contract - Actions for debt - General
Moody died on December 3, 2005, leaving four adult children. Pursuant to Moody’s will two of her children, James and Tyrell, were appointed executors of the estate. It was alleged that, during her ...
-
Barristers and Solicitors - Discipline - Suspension - For professional misconduct
McLean pled guilty five counts of conduct unbecoming a lawyer. The Discipline Committee suspended him from practice for four months and placed him on indefinite supervision. McLean appealed the length of the penalty.
The Saskatchewan ...
-
Mines and Minerals - Operation of mines, quarries and wells - Licences and permits - Appeals or judicial review - Standing - Costs
Grizzly Resources Ltd. (Grizzly). made an applications to the Energy Resources Conservation Board to drill two sour gas wells on the same site. ...
-
Narcotic Control - Offences - Trafficking - Elements of
The accused was charged with trafficking in cocaine. The trial judge granted the accused’s motion to discharge the charge. The Crown appealed.
The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial.
Link ...
This is a listing of a few upcoming events in Canada of interest to lawyers, law students, legal librarians, and others involved in the practice of law.
Clicking on any event in the list below will give you access to more information and to links allowing you to see the full entry and to add the event to your own calendar.
Click this link for a fuller version of the TalkLaw/ParLoi calendar of events and for instructions as to how to add events and calendars to your own calendar.
|
