Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Whatever will they think of next?

The Toronto Star carries this report under the by-line of the dead tree edition, “To Serve and Connect” (registration required):
In an effort to make the police service more transparent and accountable, Toronto officers will soon be required to wear name tags on their uniforms to identify themselves to the public.

The police services board made that decision yesterday over the objections of union officials, who worry that name tags could jeopardize the safety of officers and their families.

"It enables the public to recognize us. And I think it puts it on a personal level," said Chief Bill Blair, after the board approved spending $142,000 to buy gold-coloured metal bars as well as engraving equipment. "The police do have to connect to the people that we serve." But Dave Wilson, president of the Toronto Police Association, called the spending unnecessary given that every officer's badge number is on the uniform's hat and shoulder epaulets.

How long will it take before the police are compelled when an officer hands you a ticket to ask if you want fries with that?

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