Handcuffing police makes no sense

November 20, 2001
Source: Canada.com
Original story - link verified on November 20, 2001

A request for RCMP officers to keep a low profile in Banff during the G-8's spring meeting of environment ministers is a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Deputy mayor John Stutz is worried the tourist mecca's tranquil image will be tarnished by pictures of violent protests at the April 11-12 summit. His solution is for security officers to keep out of sight and refrain from "overt shows of force." But handcuffing the police's ability to keep the peace is a virtual invitation to inflammatory behaviour. If police are unprepared for the worst, or even appear to be so, it will simply incite those inclined to push the envelope. How appealing to tourists does Stutz think images will be of protesters trashing Banff townsite, or a mountain park?

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