VIANARCHRIS
Well-Known Member
An international non-profit organization which advocates for the legalization of drugs hopes a BC Human Rights Tribunal ruling sends a strong message to police departments across North Vancouver.
The Tribunal awarded Victoria Police Constable David Bratzer $20,000, saying his employer interfered with his rights as a citizen to freely express his views about drug legalization while he was off-duty.
Former Chicago prosecutor and board member of the group “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” Inge Fryklund says it’s a huge victory.
“This is a very clear statement that a police officer who does have duties of loyalty to his employer does not have to park his political beliefs at the door when he becomes a police officer. On his own time and speaking for himself, he is free to exercise his rights to express his political beliefs.”
Victoria Police acting Chief Constable Del Manak says in a statement that the department accepts the decision, will seek to learn from it and an appeal is currently not planned.
The Tribunal awarded Victoria Police Constable David Bratzer $20,000, saying his employer interfered with his rights as a citizen to freely express his views about drug legalization while he was off-duty.
Former Chicago prosecutor and board member of the group “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” Inge Fryklund says it’s a huge victory.
“This is a very clear statement that a police officer who does have duties of loyalty to his employer does not have to park his political beliefs at the door when he becomes a police officer. On his own time and speaking for himself, he is free to exercise his rights to express his political beliefs.”
Victoria Police acting Chief Constable Del Manak says in a statement that the department accepts the decision, will seek to learn from it and an appeal is currently not planned.
