Hundreds of serving and retired police officers from across Canada are joining forces to battle COVID-19 restrictions — that goes against the oath they took — they’re expected to enforce..The group, Police On Guard For Thee, was started in December 2020 by two serving police officers in Ontario – Const. Chris Vandenbos and Det.-Const. Matt Blacklaws – who say the rules are in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms..“We are a group of active duty and retired police officers who have assembled to create a haven of truth and justice for all members of law enforcement,” they say on their website..“Over the past year, we have seen the foundation of our country irreversibly damaged. The unconstitutional Public Health orders in place have resulted in the permanent closure of countless small businesses, the declining mental health of adults and children, and the tainted reputation of Canadian Law Enforcement.”.The two officers say the turning point for them was the violent arrest by the Calgary Police Service in December of Ocean Wiesblatt as he played pickup hockey..“We started the group and within 24 hours we had calls across the country, from BC to Nova Scotia,” said VandenBos, who serves with the York Regional Police..The group hired Toronto lawyer Rocco Galati, who filed a motion in Ontario’s Supreme Court to seek an injunction against provincial COVID-19 regulation..“We ask that all active-duty officers carefully consider the legislations they are imposing and analyze all information surrounding this public health emergency with an open and critical mind,” their website reads..“If you have also been questioning current public health orders and feel even slightly apprehensive to enforce them, do not be fearful, you are not alone. We urge you to reach out to us via social media or e-mail. You will be supported by a group of like-minded individuals who are standing firmly in support of truth and justice.”.The pair said along with active officers, the group is seeing numerous retired members joining their group. Membership is now in the hundreds..They pair have not been disciplined by police brass but say they expect sanctions down the road..“For sure, doing this is career suicide,” said Blacklaws, a city of Toronto police officer..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
Hundreds of serving and retired police officers from across Canada are joining forces to battle COVID-19 restrictions — that goes against the oath they took — they’re expected to enforce..The group, Police On Guard For Thee, was started in December 2020 by two serving police officers in Ontario – Const. Chris Vandenbos and Det.-Const. Matt Blacklaws – who say the rules are in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms..“We are a group of active duty and retired police officers who have assembled to create a haven of truth and justice for all members of law enforcement,” they say on their website..“Over the past year, we have seen the foundation of our country irreversibly damaged. The unconstitutional Public Health orders in place have resulted in the permanent closure of countless small businesses, the declining mental health of adults and children, and the tainted reputation of Canadian Law Enforcement.”.The two officers say the turning point for them was the violent arrest by the Calgary Police Service in December of Ocean Wiesblatt as he played pickup hockey..“We started the group and within 24 hours we had calls across the country, from BC to Nova Scotia,” said VandenBos, who serves with the York Regional Police..The group hired Toronto lawyer Rocco Galati, who filed a motion in Ontario’s Supreme Court to seek an injunction against provincial COVID-19 regulation..“We ask that all active-duty officers carefully consider the legislations they are imposing and analyze all information surrounding this public health emergency with an open and critical mind,” their website reads..“If you have also been questioning current public health orders and feel even slightly apprehensive to enforce them, do not be fearful, you are not alone. We urge you to reach out to us via social media or e-mail. You will be supported by a group of like-minded individuals who are standing firmly in support of truth and justice.”.The pair said along with active officers, the group is seeing numerous retired members joining their group. Membership is now in the hundreds..They pair have not been disciplined by police brass but say they expect sanctions down the road..“For sure, doing this is career suicide,” said Blacklaws, a city of Toronto police officer..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
