Forgive and Forget: Can pardoned criminals become police?

[Zephayra]

I was listening to the Call-In Radio station this afternoon and there was a discussion about a recent Canadian Supreme Court ruling.

A woman in Montreal has applied to the Montreal Police Force. However, almost ten years ago when she was 21, she stole approximately $200 worth of merchandise from a Canadian Department store. She was fined $250 and has since then been pardoned of her crime. The Montreal Police Force has denied her application to their force, with the reasoning that her morale isn't suited for the job based on her history of a criminal offense.

The woman took her case to the Human Rights Commission who sent it to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor (6 to 2) that the Montreal Police Force had no right to look into a pardoned and petty crime in her past.

More on the store here.

Many people calling in believe that she should be able to have a second chance, because her crime as a) pardoned, b) she was young (though still considered an adult at the time of the crime, c) people can change and mature, d) she learned her lesson and did her time, and e) people deserve second chances.

Some people calling in said sure, she's been pardoned and yes, this should not stop her from getting a job, but they strongly believe she should consider a job else where and not in the police force.

I'm curious: What do the rest of you think? Should someone who has a petty criminal offense behind them, and a pardon, be able to apply to a police force? What about other jobs such as politicians, teachers and judges? Is it better to forgive and forget, or is there still an issue of trust?

 

[Pur]

I personally would have done the same thing, rejecting her application. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but everything has consequences. Even though her debt is paid, it will still be with her for the rest of her life.

I know this story isn't about a pedofile, but it's the same principle in my eyes. Once you're convicted, there are certain jobs you are not allowed to obtain once you've done your time. Tough luck. You knew what you were doing, you got caught. Deal with the consequences.

Some might disagree with my POV and that's fine. This is a discussion after all.

 

[Stine]

I think if she was pardoned it shouldn't be an issue. No one is perfect. It's not like she killed someone. As long as it was just shoplifting and she didn't pull a gun on anyone, I think they should let her do it.

 

[Tristam Green]

Sounds like the Canadians need to watch "My Cousin Vinny" and pay special attention to Joe Pesci's character.

 

[Genkaku]

A woman in Montreal has applied to the Montreal Police Force.

I have no further comment on this issue.

 

[Princemercury]

Let her in.

Everyone has stolen something at one time in their life. She just happened to get caught. Big deal give her a chance. If she messes up, she gets a record of that. Much stronger than a controversial pardon.

 

[Skaw]

Should depend on the crime, and the circumstances around it.

 

[Zaltana]

Should depend on the crime, and the circumstances around it.

i agree with this. her crime isn't violent or anything hugely major. And if any of those cops say they are squeaky clean they're liars.

 

[Tyrath]

i agree with this. her crime isn't violent or anything hugely major. And if any of those cops say they are squeaky clean they're liars.

What they said.

Honestly don't think she should be denied in a case like this.

 

[Raesvelg]

Should she be allowed to become a police officer? No. Her crime wasn't one of desperation (she stole from a department store, not a grocery), she was obviously old enough to know better, and I'm with the police in feeling that it indicates a distinct moral flaw if she's willing to shoplift that much in one go. Particularly in light of the fact that shoplifting is typically an oft-repeated crime before the one time a perpetrator gets caught.

I could be persuaded to think otherwise if I knew why she was pardoned, but it seems unlikely.

 

[Tok]

i think its kinda ironic, a "criminal" becomming a an officer of the law

ironic in a good way of course, shows that some people do see the error of their ways and turn over a new leaf

i think she should get the job

 

[Pompidou]

Committing a crime doesn't mean punishment for life. If you broke your sibling's toy when you were a kid, maybe you got sent to your room for an hour, but there was no additional "and for the rest of your life we'll never buy you another toy". You did the punishment and you were forgiven. What's the point of jail time and fines if society holds a grudge for life? I don't think any criminal record where the punishment has been served in full should be grounds for denial from any job. The point of the justice system is to have offenders pay their debts to society. They pay their debts. Society shouldn't pretend like they still have debts. It's justifiable in pedophile cases, to an extent, though even there some districts are taking it too far and released offenders aren't allowed to live anywhere, getting stuck under bridges because being as hard as possible on crime is what gets votes at election time... But anyway, enough rambling. My oppinion is, no penalties other than those applied by the justice system should be given to criminals.

 

[Raesvelg]

Some professions, however, must be held to higher standards than others.

 

[Zaltana]

Some professions, however, must be held to higher standards than others.

absolutely correct. thats why cops who break the law are always dealt with accordingly, yes?

 

[Raesvelg]

absolutely correct. thats why cops who break the law are always dealt with accordingly, yes?

Not always, unfortunately.

But it is the ideal to which we should aspire.

To infer that we should allow one person to get away with something, simply because other people have gotten away with it, is a very flawed position. Not all murderers are punished, therefor we should not punish murderers, to use the extreme example. Some cops get away with committing crimes, yes. Not all police are paragons of moral virtue. That does not negate the fact, however, that we place police officers in a position of responsibility, and that the power inherent in that position can be easily abused. As such, as a society we should definitely attempt to weed out those who would abuse that power before such time as they are given the opportunity to do so.