The Police in Lac Megantic … that is.
In the early morning hours of July 6, 2013, the town of Lac Megantic was destroyed by a runaway train carrying crude oil. Some 47 perished in the resulting flames.
Blame has centred around the lone engineer for allegedly not having properly secured the stationary train from its resting place on the outskirts of town.
This week saw that lone engineer taken down in his home by a swat team despite the fact that up till then, the engineer had fully cooperated in the investigation and despite the fact that his lawyer had undertaken on his behalf to voluntarily come into court should charges of criminal negligence be laid against his client.
Not only that, but the police also paraded the engineer around Lac Megantic in handcuffs along with two other officials of the rail road company.
Message to the cops …this was an accident, a very unfortunate accident mind you, but one that occurred without malice on the part of anyone.
That is not to say it does not have a criminal element to it; indeed, when negligence is so gross, it can amount to criminal negligence which appears to be the case here …but it was still unintended.
It did not require a swat team take down nor did it require the three accused to be paraded in cuffs.
Nor did it require the three to be paraded around the town. Would you not have thought a more neutral venue could have been found to read out the charges?
Indeed, given the high emotions there it would not have been that surprising to see a resident try to take vengeance into their own hands.
The old adage that Justice must not only be done … it must also appear to be done comes to mind. But in the case at hand, the reverse is emphasized … Justice Must Appear To Be Done.
More important then for the authorities to appear to be tough even when dealing with a tragic accident.
These are not hardened criminals but you would not know it from what has taken place in Lac Megantic over the last few days.
As I see it…
‘K.D. Galagher’
