Good Cops

Montreal, QC - EvilGentleman - Monday, July 17th, 2006 : goo

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Sometimes, the nature of a job can result in unfair portrayals in the media, not due to a deliberate attempt at negativity by the media, but instead due to the fact that the only time that the job becomes newsworthy is when something goes wrong. Thus, CIA intelligence officers are portrayed as incompetent, mail carriers are seen as thieves, and police officers are seen as abusive racists. These portrayals are generally not the full reality, but instead, a small slice of the dark side of reality. For the full reality to be reflected, positive coverage must be given as well.

Last week, I was chatting with people in Cabot Square, across from the old Forum, when I saw the police pull up nearby. Since I was sitting at a picnic table, I was able to take a number of pictures without being too obvious.

A fellow who goes by the name of Wayne was the subject of attention. In this photo, Wayne is in the phone booth on the left. Wayne is usually a polite, intelligent, articulate person, but sometimes he becomes somewhat unstable. I have spoken with him on several occasions, and he has always been decent towards me, but I can understand how some people may be afraid of him, especially when he is having one of his episodes.

The police are now speaking to Wayne, although he is on the phone, pretending not to hear them. He did this for a while.

One of the officers searches his pockets.

It appears as though Wayne has hurt himself somehow, and the police seemed concerned for his health. He has now left the phone booth and is sitting on a park bench. Two female police cadets on bicycle patrol have stopped as well.

One of the police has given him a small bandage to stem the worst of the flow of blood coming from his hand and/or arm, and then instructs him to lie down to slow the bleeding until the ambulance arrives.

The ambulance arrives, and it appears that Wayne wants to speak to the paramedics immediately. One of the officers tells him to wait till the paramedics finish getting their stuff out of the ambulance.

The paramedics talk with him.

The paramedics do initial treatment on Wayne's wounds, and prepare to put him on the gurney for the trip to the hospital.

Wayne gets on the gurney (of his own free will, I might add)

Having wrapped and secured him for the ambulance ride, the paramedics pack up their gear.

The gurney is wheeled to the ambulance.

One of the police finally notices me, just as Wayne is being loaded into the ambulance. They left a few moments later.

The cut to Wane's arm seems to have been bleeding pretty badly. I guess he must need stitches, and possibly detox.

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ian: great story. true citynoise.

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