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March 08, 2009 at 4:12:47 PM
MP
Hands up: who trusts Toronto Police to police themselves?

*crickets*

March 08, 2009 at 4:39:15 PM
TPD
That is hilarious thats another day in the boys in blue great job there boys that goes to show how much of an example they are tryin to set at nightclubs after people are getting shot because of that reason .. Again great job boys in blue

March 08, 2009 at 5:28:27 PM
S.W.
And the police think Marijuana is bad... if they all had've just smoked a joint instead of drinking alcohol the worst that would have happened is they would have gotten the munchies and hugged it out. :P

March 08, 2009 at 5:29:21 PM
Gio - Toronto
...oh dear, oh dear....with all due respect to our Law Enforcement Officers, I think I can say that sometimes a quick second to think about what a person is going to participate in, would be a wise decision....
Shame as $100,000 is an amazing amount of money to have raised.....

March 08, 2009 at 5:48:38 PM
Sam, Toronto
To serve and protect...and kick the grapes out of one another...you must be very proud Chief Blair.

March 08, 2009 at 6:40:43 PM
Bruce
Someone is OBVIOUSLY not doing their job! The reputation of police forces all across this nation is at an all time low and these folks had a drinking and punching night at a club... time to wake up!

Tasers, death, beatings... this is what we think the police forces engage in. If they aren't off doing this, they are drinking and driving. They have a SERIOUS PR image fault. As a regular citizen I am left with the impression that ALL police forces are corrupt and violent, racist and out of control. My rational mind says this is not so, but the image I get from recent stories underscores the contrary.

It is time for them to wake up.

March 08, 2009 at 7:11:27 PM
ME
Its good to see how well our tax paying $ are being used. instead fighting crime they fight each other!

I just wonder what kind of disciplinary action will be taken for this!

March 08, 2009 at 7:48:59 PM
bp
thats why they dont work for peel police

March 08, 2009 at 8:05:32 PM
Rathan Nano
Great Job!!

Only If they were good example to people outside, They don't Use the law for driving or in any other case. Bunch of gangsters in uniform.

March 08, 2009 at 8:52:23 PM
C.J
Perhaps we should all get the full story before we go spouting off in regards to the actions of ALL officers. Least we not forget officers are people too who have the ability to make mistakes.

As I read it, this particular event had concluded and these officers choose to stay at the hosting bar while most others left.

Perhaps we should live a life in the day of a hard working officer and try and deal with the constant negative attitudes and bias they deal with from the public on a constant basis.

It takes a group effort for the city to be harmonized.

March 08, 2009 at 8:55:13 PM
mh
And these are the people that are suppose to serve and protect us? Thats why people have no respect for them

March 08, 2009 at 9:01:05 PM
huffnoogle
testosterone, adrenaline, throw a little alcohol in there-we call it hooliganism.

March 08, 2009 at 9:49:08 PM
Ernesto
Its funny how people are ready to jump on stories like this. Remember they are off duty, and when OFF DUTY, they are just like you and me. Sadly this is an example of how the abuse of alcohol can affect EVERYONE! no matter who you are!

March 08, 2009 at 10:08:11 PM
Maria
HEY!!! What the heck happened to good ole fashioned tasering??

March 09, 2009 at 10:20:41 PM
Angie
Let's remember this was an event in order to raise money for children. Police officers are HUMAN believe it or not and they do make mistakes! And it was a Toronto officer that was injured, the other 3 officers who beat him were from Peel. And Bruce remember those storied are only being told from the media's side, you are not getting the officers side. It is funny how police do something good or take a life because they are in danger yet they are investigated to no end, while the suspect is set free. Maybe it is just me, but it doesn't seem right. These officers have family and kids and are risking their lives to protect us, yet we take every opportunity to criticize and point fingers at them. Take a look at yourself and ask if you would ever do their job??

March 09, 2009 at 11:25:50 PM
Philip Violenus
Its good that our officers are raising money. But come on people when some one has a drink or more then enough things happen. I think people make a big deal of some of the issues made by media. Some things can be fabricated. Does anyone care of what happen to the officer that was hurt.

March 09, 2009 at 11:31:28 PM
Gary
This is another example of "Gang Mentality" and is a problem across Canada. It makes no difference that these were cops,and this sets an example for the rest of the population that if you can't win a fight on your own, get friends to help you beat you opponent up.This should be an indictable offence to gang up on someone but as we all know, cops are allowed to get away with murder as the incident at Vancouver Airport has proven and ALL cops lie as was also proven in that and other incidences.

March 09, 2009 at 12:57:51 AM
E.
What is the matter with our society... Cops are people too! And we all make a poor decision once in while, usually in our personal lives (off duty), and yet we're great at our jobs. I'm not condoning their behavior, I just think we should cut them some slack once in a while.

March 09, 2009 at 6:55:52 AM
Brandon
gimmie a break, these are humans, they were not on duty, they didn't attack anyone that was not involved...
I agree they were wrong, but please, alcohol, boxing, testosterone.... you're gonna get some fun, and some trouble.......

March 09, 2009 at 7:51:11 AM
cikjazzer
ALL police forces are corrupt and violent. Great job guys, you see why nobody trust a single word you say. I know I feel safer . . .

March 09, 2009 at 8:17:13 AM
abi
fight crime or fight one another? i see them setting traps for speeders, see cops sitting in cars chatting with each other. what do they do to protect and serve?? people have no confidence in them unfortunately.

March 09, 2009 at 8:22:12 AM
JF Toronto
This kind of thing has been going on for years I'm sure. But was probably just kept internal away from the public.

At least now they are having to answer for their mistakes (drinking and driving). Unfortunately not so much for the "Taser thing". Maybe they should do away with the tasers and stick to rubber bullets?!

For the time being I still have faith in our officers. I am hoping they have done more good then what has hit the news lately.

March 09, 2009 at 8:34:01 AM
pro-police
I am so sick iof everyone bashing the Toronto Police. Just like any profession, yours and mine included there is always good and bad. Everyone is so quick to jump and insult, or say there not doign a good job but they need to stop and look at how they live there own life. Why are cops bad? Cause they gave you a ticket for speeding, or for not making yoru six year old wear a seatbelt. Or waut maybe it's cause you beat your wife and got charged with a doemstic. BUt when you need the police cause your house got broken into, or your six year old is missing and these guys are out there workign overtiem to find her, or to try and help you get your life in order it's ok. We chastize the police for taking a lunch break in uniform, or fightnite is bad since they got to enjoy themselves.

March 09, 2009 at 9:08:18 AM
Patty Lohnes
It's a shame when we read stories like this that we forget that being a police officer is a very stressful job. We also forget that these people are still human. Far be it for me to point fingers and say that these guys are losers or hooligans because they made a mistake. The big difference here - is their mistake in judgement was written in the "news". If it was a bunch of office workers or from any other industry, would this be such a big deal? So, lighten up and leave it to the officer's superiors to do the judging and disciplining. I'm sure the embarassment is going to be enough for now.

March 09, 2009 at 9:13:30 AM
Alex
By the way, after that drinking, did they all took cabs or drove their patrol cars back home from there?

March 09, 2009 at 9:20:10 AM
Jerry
Our criminal justice is a joke it should have its own show on the comedy network.

March 09, 2009 at 9:26:12 AM
Tony Rodrigues
Toronto's finest doing what they do best.

March 09, 2009 at 9:29:18 AM
Give us a break.....
You would think that with all the problems these guys create for themselves, that they would keep it "professional" and low key when they have an event like this. As well as a charity event this should be a chance for the police to create a positive image in the community, something that they are desperately lacking. This event has been in the media for a week at least now, give your HEADS a shake "Toronto's finest" (or Toronto's only) and behave yourselves just once!
This isn't the article I want to show my kids, no wonder the trust in the police is so low, they can't even treat each other with respect

Give us a break! Why don't we all have a few more cocktails!

March 09, 2009 at 9:31:49 AM
Jon Coe, Toronto
Yes cops are people too, so you are saying that when we get drunk we gang up on our friends and co-workers and beat them up. Are you saying, that is normal? (head injury people)

March 09, 2009 at 9:36:00 AM
Jermaine
Wow, I think this is just outrageous I would hate to be a police officer. These boys/gals in blue risk their lives and are in the media spotlight for everything they do right and wrong. Although there is never much written about the right things they do and correct me if I'm wrong I have never read of a Taser death in Toronto. But everyone is quick to jump on them for a fight while raising $100,000 for underprivileged children. I will be the first to say thank you for accomplishing that. Someone above called this city's officers racists. When is the last time you have heard of the NAACP getting together to raise money for underprivileged white children I don't think that will happen ever.

March 09, 2009 at 10:08:20 AM
Kien
Good! I was pulled over in my car yesterday evening for no particular reason. After being on the side of the road for 25 minutes, two officers came to both my car windows and finally announced that my validation sticker was on a clear plastic cover and not on the actual plate. While this was all going on, 2 people decided to run the red light 5 meters ahead of where I was pulled over, and another person did a U-turn infront of us. Congrats, maybe I should join the boys in blue

March 09, 2009 at 10:18:02 AM
pierre
A quick review of the comments on this post showed what I already knew. The jaded, anti-police whiners came out of the woodwork PDQ. What about waiting for the facts before pre-judging ?

March 09, 2009 at 10:23:30 AM
Torontonian
I HAVE A ONE TRILLION DOLLAR QUESTION HERE "WHY NO BODY USED A TASER ON THE OFFICER/S INVOLVED IN THIS BRAWL / FIGHT ?

Can we ask Mr. Blair to answer that please?

March 09, 2009 at 10:35:23 AM
Wake up Toronto
First of all after all they are Police Officer they are the one who setup good examples even in normal life What do you say Tornto that Preist can go to the night club because,he is not on duty no everytime he is counted as Priest isn't it?What a SHAME money can be raised any time if the officers are doing great

March 09, 2009 at 10:40:55 AM
Come On
Bunch of kids. The T.O. police system is seriously ill and these guys are out of control. I have heard several stories, outside the media, about T.O. police abusing their powers. And they wonder why people do not trust them. Someone must forget the politics and clean house now!!!

March 09, 2009 at 11:15:09 AM
Dennis Brantford
Sounds like a swarming to me.Do the same anti bully rules apply here or are the police exempted.Even the police can't fight fair.Internal Affairs, we'll be watching the outcome of this affair. Don't screw up.

March 09, 2009 at 11:23:33 AM
Jaymie
Unfortunately our boys in blue are only human. Yes, we'd like to believe that police officers are above it all (and it's obvious some even believe they are holier than thou - I know you've all been pulled over by a power tripping officer who just wants to give a ticket because he can) but once they take the badge off they are just regular joe's.

So when you throw alcohol and boxing matches into the mix it's no surprise what happened.

March 09, 2009 at 11:59:49 AM
notacivilian.
If they can do this to a fellow police officer, just imagine what they could do to a civilian!! Lets see how well the cover this one up. This is just Toronto's finest doing what they do best, beat people up. The only reason this is in the media is because they did this to another cop. If this was you or I, it would have been covered up.

March 09, 2009 at 12:16:03 PM
Bill
That these men are Police Officers is not a significant fact to the story. They were off duty and therefore civilians. It's really dimwitted of people like TPD to generalize the entire police force off of this incident.

March 09, 2009 at 12:38:29 PM
EM
I find it very interesting that certain people are defiending these LAW BREAKING OFFICERS! I have seen few comments stating that officers are humans as well and that they have stressful jobs. One question for you all...Doctors jobs are more stressful..does that give the doctor a right to go out and cause a head injury to someone? or what about firefighters??? maybe after battling a blaze few of them should go out and beat up someone just to relax a little???

What kind of disciplinary action will be taken agains these "officers of peace"???

will they get charged with assault ?

March 09, 2009 at 1:14:53 PM
KA
Nobody will condone the actions of the officers involved in the fight after the event (not even other police officers) but to take this oppourtunity to slam police in general is a unwarranted. There were over 2000 officers at this event. Why should every other police officer be tarred and feathered as a result of a fight between 2 or 3 of them? Some of the comments here slamming police is utter nonsense. Reality check time people - police officers will make mistakes some big some small. Our society has insured that there are checks and balances regarding police and their actions. The police in Toronto have a very difficult job. They do it well and they do it with very little complaining. So instead of filling this comment section with negatives like "oh i got a ticket one time and tasers blah blah blah"

March 09, 2009 at 2:09:00 PM
Darren
I think the Guvernment is a bad venue to host this event. We already hear links between bars and police, example the McCormick case from a few years ago. The Police should be seen to remain arms length from the entertainment industry. They should have chosen a different venue

March 09, 2009 at 2:16:02 PM
Angie
let's not even bring up firefighters. How many actual FIRE calls do they answer a yr? Hardly any. On another topic Firefighters always seem to be the heroes in the media while officers are left in the dark. The majority of firefighters I know sit at the station eating all day! And you cannot even nearly compare a doctor to a police officer. When was the last time if ever that you heard of a doctor jumping in front of a gun, or risking his life in a highspeed chase? I'm sorry but police officers go into work everyday not knowing what to expect or if they will ever even come back home to see their kids. Stories like this really bug me. Sure it was wrong they started a fight but they are human and make mistakes, if people could only realize that.

March 09, 2009 at 3:31:28 PM
akj
reading these comments I have found it really interesting how the general public feels towards police or let me simplify and take a wild guess that most of these comments were made by people from the ages of 18-30.I am a strong supporter of the event knowing that it goes towards a great cause involving lower income kids and a opportunity for a higher education.It also allows officers to get together and reconnect with people they have not seen in years.The fights are very entertaining and the MC's are hilarious.Excuse me if a couple of clowns decided to try and tar this event which by all intensive purposes is a great success every year by behaving like drunken idiots.They deserve to be dealt with accordingly and believe me they will be.
But don't let their actions spoil a great idea started by officers from 51 Division years ago to help the community they policed(Regent Park).

March 09, 2009 at 3:37:31 PM
nikki-toronto
what a pretty littly cliche!
i'm guessing this is one of those "do as i say, not as i do" type of situations that our parents used to present us with as children...?
maybe a little "boys will be boys" thrown in for fun?
yeah.

March 09, 2009 at 4:13:07 PM
ewa kata
These police should be suspended with out pay.These officers are out to clean up the streets, but it turns out all they did was clean each others clocks. The police also have burners, what is one officer took it to far and blasted another officer? In my opinion I think they should grow up or work at no frills!

March 09, 2009 at 4:32:08 PM
DPT
My concern regarding this whole issue would be in the hiring process....who actually hired these goons to begin with? What are the hiring requirements these days anyway? It's unfortunate that these three individuals have now tarnished the credibility of an outstanding Police Force.
Keep up the good work "Boys in Blue".

March 09, 2009 at 9:55:45 PM
john doe
If they are so quick to hurt each other, what makes you think they are going to use reason to deal with situations involving the public. No wonder that poor man died of a tazer in Vancouver. The police are too quick to attack, they need to be regulated by the public, not themselves. Forget the Hells Angels, the Bloods or any other gang, the police are the biggest gang in society. This situation just adds to my distrust of the police. Time to wake up Canada, lets begin to police the police, or this will turn into a police state.

March 10, 2009 at 10:23:11 PM
Marcus
Everyone jumps on officers 24/7 for the actions they do while on duty. Media covers possible wrong doings like it's the biggest story since sliced bread.

Now, we have thousands of officers paying to attend a function on their days off. They were not forced to be there, they were not being paid to be there. As a result of their actions alot of money was raised for under privileged children.

What do we all do? Criticize them, bash them and do our typical and very predictable anti-police rhetoric.

If this event gets cancelled for next year it will seriously impact families.

March 10, 2009 at 11:51:42 PM
Angie
the hiring process is very indepth! They go through at least 5 different screenings, including a thorough background check, a psychological evaluation and interview, medicals, interviews, and home visits. So before you judge the process, learn it first. Obviously at interviews they are going to show the positive sides, not the negative. And a lot of these guys come in clean as ever, but the job will turn you around. Could you imagine seeing dead bodies, murdered children, wives, husbands on a daily basis?? No i doubt it! Can't believe how people are so quick to judge without ever even doing the job!

March 10, 2009 at 4:53:22 AM
Jo
Question to everyone? Do you not think that police officers are human, too?!? All humans make mistakes, all humans at one time or other do things that are not appropriate - these things are all a fact of life. Grow up if you think that police officers are immune to any of this ... you know they signed up to Serve and Protect not the priesthood! And even some priest don't behave accordingly, but that's another story!