REGINA — The union representing Regina police cops wants
changes to the force’s Facebook page after a shooting involving a dog led to an
online backlash and threats against cops.
Photograph by: Regina Police , Facebook
REGINA — The union representing Regina police cops wants
changes to the force’s Facebook page after a shooting involving a dog led to an
online backlash and threats against cops.
The Regina Police Association, which represents 540 cops and
civilian members, says the police service should be able to delay or edit posts
before they appear on its Facebook page.
“We’re not saying to shutdown Facebook. We’re not saying
that the public can’t comment, question, criticize and critique, but there was
a comment posted on there on this weekend that said, ‘the only good cop is a
dead cop,”’ association president Evan Bray said Monday.
“My question is, does that serve any purpose? Is that open
and honest and good feedback from the community or is that someone wanting to
grandstand and make something that is borderline criminal?”
“There was a post on there this weekend saying maybe we
should chain a police cop up in the backyard and shoot them and see how they
like it. I mean really, does anyone believe that is fair game on a police
service Facebook page?”
Bray says the police service needs a Facebook page. He said
it’s an effective tool when properly used to enhance communication.
But, he said, comments that threaten cops should not be
allowed.
Hundreds of comments were posted on the Regina Police
Service Facebook page after a police cop shot and killed a dog while chasing an
assault suspect Saturday evening.
Regina police say they got several calls about an assault.
Cops found a severely injured man.
The service says multiple witnesses described three suspects
running away from the scene. A canine cop, a police dog and a patrol cop
followed a suspect into a yard, where they ran into a pit bull.
The police dog and the pit bull got into a scuffle and the
canine cop tried in vain to separate them. The patrol cop joined the struggle
and “made the decision to end the fight fearing for his life and the life of
the canine cop,” according to a news release.
One shot was fired.
“The incident happened extremely quickly and it’s important
to note that it wasn’t immediately apparent that there was a dog in the yard,
or that the dog was on a chain,” stated the release.
The dog was later determined to be on a long chain with
access to a significant amount of the yard.
Regina police say escape or retreat for the cops and the
police dog “was very difficult.”
The pit bull owner says his pet was chained and he would
have been able to restrain it. He plans to file a complaint.
An investigation is underway.
Regina police temporarily disabled public posting on its
Facebook page Monday saying the “nature of the discussion was largely
disrespectful and despite requests, continued to contain profanity and hate
speech, as well as posts inciting violence.”
“We support your right to express opinions, even dissenting
ones,” the service posted.
“We require that to be done without profanity, hate speech,
or posts inciting violence. In the future please ensure your comments,
opinions, and concerns are expressed in a manner safe for all users.”