Officer Complaint

The following was submitted to Sheriff Dowling today.
===================================
Date: 22 October, 2012


To: Sheriff Ron Dowling

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AGAINST OFFICER MIKE HUNTER

Officer Mike Hunter violated my property without warning or explanation on 24 September, 2012.

On the morning of Monday, September 24, 2012, I entered the courthouse shortly after 9am. As I moved through the lobby toward the courtroom for Judge Nancy Orr, I was engaged by an unknown officer advising that I remove my hat. The commissionaire, Stan Campbell, later also claimed to have engaged me about my hat, but either how I took the matter up with the officer. I established that this officer was requesting rather than ordering me to remove my head dress. He agreed. I then continued into the courtroom with my hat on my head as is my preference. As I entered the court room Officer Mike Hunter whispered something inaudible to me. He, from behind me, removed my hat from my head and took it out of the courtroom. I followed Officer Hunter out of the courtroom to the lobby. There I spoke with Officer Hunter and the unknown officer. They referred to the requests that had been made of me but neither referenced nor quoted any statutes, policy or the like. My hat was placed at the commissionaire's desk where I later retrieved it.

I, to this day, have not received an explanation about why my property was violated.

I am aware, and was made aware, of local customs regarding head dresses and courtrooms. If these customs are enforceable with violations of property I was not made aware of it. Consequently, I was not given an opportunity to choose to avoid the impending property violation. No such warning was given before, nor explanation given after the above incident.

I wish this complaint to help illustrate a pattern of irresponsible behaviour by Officer Hunter, should such a pattern exist. I would very much appreciate an email confirmation that you received this letter. You may also contact me to help clarify any unclear matters with respect to this indecent.

Thank you for your attention

Preliminary thoughts on my court audio, obedience and intimidation

COURT INFO

Judge: Nancy Orr
Crown: Jeff MacDonald
Officer: Cpl Marc Joseph Maurice Martin Roy
Charge: s166 of the Highway Traffic Act, failure to obey a traffic control device
Judgement: Guilty
Time: 9:33am, Sept 24, 2012, so says the court documents, but I think it was closer to 9:15.


Court.mp3 (26mins)

They ask me to speak clearly into the microphone (15:25) when my voice is clearer than theirs. Seems like a childish intimidation tactic.

Orr says the fine is due 'forth with'. Apparently that meant that the $1000 was due at the end of the business day, 7 hours later. The fine is now past due disqualifying me from community service to work off the fine.

It is clear there was no danger to public safety. Only the Crown Jeff MacDonald tries to put on any pretense that they are acting in the public interest, rather than using a power entrusted to them to force obedience and raise money for their organization.

I never refused to stand for the judge. Every request or order to stand was met with a question about the consequences of non-compliance. My questions were never answered. This is evidence of my 'attitude'.

TIMESTAMPS
Not standing for the 'judge' pt 1

0:30

Cpl roy runs a red light, lol
10:20

Are you being paid to be here today
14:10

Was my driving safe, and Orr asks me to speak in my big boy voice
15:25

How did you gauge my speed?
16:30

Not standing for the 'judge' pt 2
24:15

Orr:
"That will certainly deal with not only the offence but also the accused's attitude in respect to this matter."
24:50

Subsidiarity Podcast, Episode 007

Episode 007 (mp3)

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Topics and links for episode 007:

Ashley fights a traffic ticket (again).

If I ruled the world, by Michael Sandel
Michael Sandel gives a progressive's view of what is wrong with economics.

Mao Yushi wins the 2012 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.
Mao's biography
'The Paradox of Morality' (p43) by Mao in The Morality of Capitalism.

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