I Shudder to Think

I was at a function on the weekend at which a member of the police was also attending. Great food, lovely wine and great conversation flowed like fondue cheese.

During the evening the Detective was asked "So whats the scoop on the David Bain case?" Without a moments hesitation the Detective said that he was as guilty as sin. "But what about the whole Privy Court, conviction set aside thing?" the question was asked. The detective explained that they had spoken to a guy that was on the investigation and that there is no doubt. The detective then went on to say that why would they (the police) prosecute an innocent man? "After all" said the Detective, "the Police don't get it wrong".

It was at this point I couldn't hold my self back any longer and the argument began in earnest (it finished at about 4am in the morning). I couldn't believe the arrogance and the intractability of this police officer. The Detective actually believed that there is no way that David Bain could be innocent.

And that highlights the issue for me: if the Police decide that you are guilty, you are stuffed!

What if innocent bloggers like you and I were to be wrongly accused of a crime, yet the investigating agency refused to consider another line of inquiry. Shouldn't we all be a little scared? Is this the culture that inhabits the police?

Now it's important to note that we were at a social event, the detective was not on duty and was expressing their own opinion.However I think that it is indicative and relevant if this is in any way representative of the culture within what is the investigative arm of the criminal justice system.

The Police are not there to judge. They are there to enforce the law and gather information for prosecution. If they take it on themselves to only consider the easiest option, I shudder to think of the state of or police force.