This is just a terribly tragic story but what is most shocking to me is that the lesson arent being learned or applied already. In case you arent familiar with what has transpired I will give you a brief overview of what has happened.
Mr. Abdi was at a local coffee shop were he was creating a nuisance and there were reports of an assault. The police were called and Mr. Abdi fled. He was chased to the entrance of his apartment complex and when the officers attempted compliance he suffered severe physical damage.
I do want to make note that this isnt the first time that Mr.Abdi has had an issue in the coffee shop and that Mr.Abdi suffers from being slow and has mental health issues. These could have played a large portion in resisting with compliance.
Tragically a day later Mr. Abdi passed away from the injuries incurred while being taken into custody.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/siu-investigate-hilda-street-arrest-hospital-1.3694114
So the community, not just the Somali community was outraged by what happened to Mr. Abdi. There were significant amounts of media articles, TV and press about this. Especially hard coverage by the CBC and massive pressure put on the police force.
An investigation into the incident was launched as well as many meetings between the Police Services and respected community leaders to reduce tensions.
As it stands now one officer has been charged as a result of the investigation and we are pending the outcome of the trial.
The community called for its pound of flesh and it received it. The officer in question has been charged and will be prosecuted for his conduct. The leaders of the community have also been granted a lot more power based upon the visits by the media and the police themselves.
The Police Services have been under attack by the community about this and naturally what do people under attack do? They defend themselves. So naturally the blue wall goes up and they protect themselves. In this case some chose to wear wrist bands defending the officers name. Not only was this a slap in face for justice and its process but for the community itself and the need to heal. I understand the need to defend and it should have been done behind closed doors and out of sight. This brings bad PR to the situation and creates more rifts in the communities.
As to the leaders/community themselves with these wristbands they have gone full court press. With the new found power they have been given, the first thing they do is go full throttle. There were many articles/interviews on the cbc alone:
http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/ottawa-morning/segment/12159352
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/police-wristbands-counter-campaign-firefighter-abdi-1.4047743
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/programs/ottawamorning/abdi-wristbands-1.4049293
Now if you are trying to foster a greater level of trust and care between the people you count on to protect you in the time of need this isnt the way to do it. This should have also been handled behind closed doors. Attempting to shame causes the defending to double down and in most cases that is the last thing needed.
I thought the whole point of this was to bring groups together to understand each other and make sure both sides are being served. To ensure that both parties are being heard and acknowledge. This sadly is a pissing contest in which both sides lose and no lessons will be learned.
I would like to see justice carried out and that the Police Services and Somali community actually work together and learn. Bring about change from this unfortunate tragedy and not just a minor shift in power dynamics.
We as a community must let justice take its course and accept the results and work with police to foster better relationships.
Police need to much better situational awareness about how the communities feel and accept it. They must also be ready to cut the officer lose should it need to be done.
CBC/Media – stop exploiting and especially stop the dog piling mentality the continues to further outrage and stoke the fears within both the community and the police.
James Gumption Dispatch 