No wonder the police are losing mana in the eyes of the public. Well, this member of the public. Instead of investigating if charges will be laid for a farmer defending his property and peacefully arresting the two crims, they could have said "We are investigating the possibility of awarding a medal."
The first message, the message the police are sending, sends a signal - don't even consider defending yourself, or your property, or trying to stop a crime. The second message, the one we rarely hear, is a message to our fine citizens that society will back the actions of the brave and of the good. That's not the message we are hearing. It's time we changed the message.
Related Link: Police to investigate the right to protect life and property
The first message, the message the police are sending, sends a signal - don't even consider defending yourself, or your property, or trying to stop a crime. The second message, the one we rarely hear, is a message to our fine citizens that society will back the actions of the brave and of the good. That's not the message we are hearing. It's time we changed the message.
The police are investigating an incident in Waikato in which they say a shotgun was fired while a farmer was capturing two intruders.
They say the man and his wife confronted two men who were taking petrol from the rural Morrinsville property in the early hours of Monday morning.
The farmer reportedly fired two warning shots and blocked the men's vehicle.
Police say he then ordered the pair to get out of their car and lie on the ground, before restraining them with a friend who came to his assistance.
The suspects have been charged and a separate investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding their capture.
The police say it is too early to comment on whether charges will be laid against the farmer or anyone else, and they're considering a range of issues.
Related Link: Police to investigate the right to protect life and property