“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored” – Aldous Huxley
“Journalism is nothing but the effort to get as close to Truth as possible. Attention to detail and a respect for facts are hallmarks of good journalism. But the public, including bloggers, have a responsibility to pay attention too. Read accurately, analyze carefully and don’t jump to conclusions.” – Jim Reed
Canadian journalist Jim Reed has worked as a researcher, writer, producer, director, reporter and news anchor for CTV, TVO and CBC. He has travelled widely and has freelanced for The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail and other news organizations.
He is a 3-time Gemini Award winner, recipient of the “Gordon Sinclair Award for Excellence in Broadcasting” as well as the B’Nai B’rith Award for Human Rights.
Email Jim rjamesreed@gmail.com
I read with interest a recent article on the national police: “The RCMP- A Royal Canadian Disgrace.” (MacLeans’s Nov. 18, 2011.) The authors identify a number of faux pas by the redcoats and one that stuck out for me was the blatant sexism in the organization. Catherine Galliford, was once the spokesperson for the “force” and I recall watching her announce some of the major crimes being investigated including: the horrific serial killings by the pig farmer Picton and the Air India Bombing. A very competent media representative and now she’s off on sick leave inflicted with Post Trauamatic Stress Disorder. Why? Because of the sexual advances by officers in the RCMP! The MacLean’s article also includes the notion that many women have left the force because of this. How vulerable are the women who decide on a police career and is the RCMP the only police service where this happens? Let’s assume that the RCMP is a closed organization. Enter the new recruit. She’s excited about her new career and proud of the fact that she made it. She is now a member of the force and understands that there is a us and them mentality. In orther words, her loyalty is to the organization. She’s one of them! If she is sexually harassed, what will she do? Does she complain to her immediate supervisor? And what are the ramifications if she does? What if she’s at a detachment with a complement of fifteen members and stuck in “tim buck to?” Who watches her back when she responds to a call where violence may be involved? Who completes her performance reviews? Who does she “party” with in an isolated designation? And how does she process this information when she’s alone and wondering what to do? Well Galliford decided she simply couldn’t withstand the “assaults” and has been diagnosed with “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” She will be testifying about the Pict on Inquiry and has made it clear that she’s testifying not as a RCMP but as herself and her thoughts regarding the Picton investigation. Including her belief that the investigation went sideways because of the misogynistic attitude of the police! In a somewhat timely article in the Toronto Star (Nov. 19, 2011.) “Government puts tightleash on RCMP Public Statements” the force must release any stories that “garner national media attention to a bureacracy called “Public Safey Canada.” A mountie who didn’t wish to be identified (who can blame him/her) stated: its like a way to gag the mounties.” One wonders if the recent indiscretions of the red coats had anything to do with this new way of filtering information? I wish Galliford every success in her journey to reveal what appears to be an ongoing tragedy for some women who just want to be cops and offer themselves to the public. Unfortuately, some in the organization see them in a much different way.