Published on this site on February 2, 2001. Available in pdf format (feel free to distribute to policemen). [Also available in a French version and an Italian translation]
Letter to a Canadian Police Officer
Dear Sir or Madam:
Since January 1st, 2001, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of Canadians have been criminalized by the new firearm controls (well, “new” after the previous round in 1991!). Your superiors are asking you to do the federal government’s dirty job and enforce these controls. This job is incompatible with the duty of a police officer serving citizens.
The controls that you are asked to enforce carry jail terms for individuals whose only “crime” is to reject police databases for honest citizens, and to disobey “laws” and regulations that are arbitrary, immoral, and contrary to our traditions. An important, and growing, minority opposes these controls, and it is likely that the majority would reject them if they knew what they actually amount to. In any event, your role is not to enforce against peaceful minorities whatever diktats some majority whimsically issues.
Those who have taught you that you are “protecting society,” have forgotten to explain that this society is made of individuals, and that your role is not to protect an abstract community by criminalizing real, peaceful individuals. They have forgotten to tell you that the rule of law is not consistent with any kind of law.
In the depth of your heart, you know that I am right. You know that these so-called “laws” are not of the same nature as laws against murder, theft or rape. You know that these so-called “laws” transform honest citizens into paper criminals.
Moreover – and let me be clear on this – your are our servant, not our master. You serve and protect, you don’t rule and nurture. Whatever power you have is entirely delegated by us. We are the ones who pay your salaries. And this “we” also includes peaceful minorities. Without the general support of law-abiding citizens, you would be nothing but, at best, an armed Praetorian or, at worst, a little rotten cop in a banana republic.
Don’t reply that you are only doing your job, and that you have to earn a living, for this can never be an excuse for violating fundamental laws and morals. Don’t put yourself in the situation of an enemy of peaceful citizens.
Please be assured of my support if you choose the side of liberty.
Sincerely,
Pierre Lemieux