Bashed

On half a dozen occasions last night I passed the scene of yesterday morning’s vicious bashing of an off-duty police woman on her way to work. Until 3.30 this morning the area remained cordoned off as a crime scene, attended by numerous police and forensic staff, directly opposite where I stop for coffee.

During one stop I flippantly remarked to the barista that it seemed unusual for a crime scene to remain in place for so long and was most likely the result of the victim’s status as a police officer. The inference being that cops pay more attention to crimes against their own than they do for crimes against regular citizens.

The barista chided me for the suggestion, and rightly so. “Well, that’s how it should be,” he replied, explaining that it sent a clear message to thugs that they better think twice when contemplating mugging someone, especially women, as attacks against police won’t be tolerated.

Of course he was spot on. If scumbags think they can operate with impunity and get away with assaulting police, even inadvertently, then an immutable barrier is breached and society is one step closer to anarchy. Accordingly a higher penalty for such crimes is justified, though whether this is applied in law I’m unsure.

Arriving back at the cab with my coffee I noticed a lone cop guarding the pedestrian overpass leading to the crime scene. Being close by I headed towards him to inquire of the victim’s condition and offer condolences for his colleague.

However when he saw me approaching he pulled out a phone, turned his back and ignored me. Fair enough, too.

UPDATE: Good news

Comments

[Boy on a bike]

I went past a police station not long ago, and the flag was at half mast. I hope that doesn't mean what I think it means.

[jayjay]

You wouldn't be a cop for quids. How do they ever get anyone to do their thankless job?

[Nav]

I was robbed then slashed with knife acroos my face while driving taxi on late thursday night/friday morning (01/05/2009).Police Have their photos armed with knife, so far there is no arrest. But compare these two cases... Police is questioning a man where a victim was a poilce officer.
Figure that out

[adrian]

Nav, sounds bloody awful. Are you referring to these attackers? They were the subject of numerous warnings over the cab radio last weekend.

Hope you're recovering okay and back in the saddle soon.

I'd be surprised if your attackers escape arrest, given such clear images and especially if they are already known to police, like the cop basher above in my update.

From my experience cops have always been pretty diligent investigating attacks against cabbies so it's worth giving them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Thanks for the contact and best wishes to you.

[Nav]

Thanks Adrian.. Yes, this is the picture of him. let's hope that police will get them. Detective is very keen to get this fellow...
Once again thanks

[Skyring]

Sorry, I don't buy this. Your average thug usually won't choose a target who is likely to be an off-duty cop. They aren't that hard to spot, though similar occupations - soldier etc. - also fit the bill.

Crimes against vulnerable people - elderly, prostitutes, night cabbies and so on - should be prosecuted with *more* vigour than crimes against those who are better able to defend themselves. That sends a message to scum.