Pot smoking mountie hands in dress uniform

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Here he is smoking a joint in full uniform and being in full uniform, on duty, I can only assume he has his handgun on his person.

You know what happend when you assume...........

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I'd be more nervous that a pot smoking police officer would put his gun down and hug me.

a pot-smoking cop would be even more of a danger to the box of donuts in the police station.

[CaptainCrunch]

If his post traumatic stress syndrome was that high of a level he probably shouldn't have been an RCMP officer at all.

No one is arguing that the RCMP is pretty bad at dealing with their own people, and taking care of things like PTSD. But if he needs up to 3 grams a day, then maybe he shouldn't have been a member of a police force which is one of the highest stress jobs out there.

I agree that he shouldn't have been puffing in uniform, it would be equivalent to me of seeing a member of the Army, Navy or Airforce smoking a spliff on duty, it doesn't inspire public confidence and even on desk duty there's a question of impairment.

In the old days in WW1 and WW2, a stressed soldier was given a shot or two of whiskey to calm their nerves. But they didn't turn around and put the soldier back on the battlefield while under the influence of an intoxicating substance.

Frankly the guy shouldn't be a cop as long as PTSD is dominating his life to this level.

And merely smoking a joint isn't going to cure him.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by habernac

again, stupid of him to smoke while in uniform, but do you really think he's dangerous with a firearm while on weed? Wake up, man.

Do we allow people who have legal prescriptions for medical marijuana to drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery after smoking up? If not, why would we treat carrying a firearm any differently?

It's an indisputable scientific fact that marijuana is a mind-altering drug that affects the user's judgement and ability to perform tasks. We don't allow RCMP officers to drink alcohol while on duty (even in small quantities), so I don't see any reason why smoking pot should be treated differently. Obviously I don't think smoking one joint is going to turn this officer into a raging lunatic like a junkie high on bath salts, but he still shouldn't be using marijuana while on duty.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by habernac

again, stupid of him to smoke while in uniform, but do you really think he's dangerous with a firearm while on weed? Wake up, man.

I think if he's put in a situation that requires judgement and a firearm and he's on weed, that its got a higher danger potential then someone who's in a situation that requires judgement and a firearm and is not on weed.

[Puppet Guy]

really, really stupid question: isn't it possible/common to have a marijuana vapourizer (like an asthma inhaler)? Seems like using something like that could've just avoided the whole situation.

[Rerun]

According to the RCMP, “any member on a mind-altering drug — such as marijuana, OxyContin (and) Dilaudid — is not permitted to perform operational duties, including carrying a firearm or operating a police vehicle, as this could pose a risk to themselves, a co-worker or the public.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11...-in-red-serge/


Seems like a perfectly reasonable policy to me...

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

really, really stupid question: isn't it possible/common to have a marijuana vapourizer (like an asthma inhaler)? Seems like something like that could've just avoided the whole situation.

That would improve the optics of it, but it doesn't address the issue that this officer was using a substance that impairs his judgement while on the job.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I understand that this guy has a prescription for pot, so it's totally legal for him to smoke it, but I still have aboslutely no problem with this guy getting in trouble over this.
Where I work the alcohol policy haz a zero tollerance for drugs and alcohol for anyone in a "Safety Senstive" postion, this also extends to many prescription medications. If you are on those medications, you can't be in that positon, and need to let your supervisor know so they can alter your duties. I would assume that the RCMP has similar restrictions, and I think a pretty strong case could be made that any uniformed officer (carrying his sidearm or not), is in a safety senstivie position.

He says it doesn't impare him anymore than 1 beer impares someone, but where I work it doesn't matter if you're not impared by 1 drink, you can't have it, it's that simple.

Secondly, I would assume that the RCMP has a pretty strict code of conduct, and I think they rightfully should, as protecting their image is pretty important. He may have had a prescrption, but what he was doing is still detrimental to the image of the RCMP. If you must do it, do it discretely you dumb ass.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Rerun

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11...-in-red-serge/


Seems like a perfectly reasonable policy to me...

it would also seem then, that he wasn't carrying, if we believe that he is an upstanding member (setting aside is pot usage).

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If his post traumatic stress syndrome was that high of a level he probably shouldn't have been an RCMP officer at all.

Cpl. Francis said several incidents led to his current diagnosis; he buried a childhood friend, charged two of his siblings, and faced a murder plot. He has been on administrative duties since January. - National Post

I'm sorry, but I don't know how the guy is still able to keep going after all of that. I'd be 6 ft. under by my own doing if I had to go through that all recently.

[Rerun]

nm

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by Rerun

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11...-in-red-serge/


Seems like a perfectly reasonable policy to me...

Ok so it is not just pot that is banned. This lessens my rage a bit.
Discussions like this get to me because everyone makes high jokes and seems to forget that these people are taking medicine.
Yes, some people do abuse medicine and get high from it but that is not the discussion. Most medical users also buy different strains than your typical street user. There are different strains for each illness, some require almost no THC (so they don't even get a street user (too) high), while some do have larger amounts. Some make you calm and relaxed, some more up and active.

I have no issues with someone smoking pot while on duty. I'm surprised that his illness doesn't have more people concerned. PTSD can be pretty severe. I am a little worried about someone like that having more rights than I do and handling and having authority over the general public

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

I'm sorry, but I don't know how the guy is still able to keep going after all of that. I'd be 6 ft. under by my own doing if I had to go through that all recently.

Again, he shouldn't have got past the psychiatric evaluation if his PSTD was that big of life altering issue.

Not to sound cold, but it sounds like he's unsuitable for a job with the RCMP.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Mounties in full dress uniform...... with handguns. I don't think I'm stretching it to assume he has his handgun too.

He told CTV Atlantic that marijuana calms him down and allows him to focus on his job. Because of his PTSD, Francis has been placed on administrative duties and no longer carries a weapon.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/medical...#ixzz2m4LBsNEd

So he is lying about this?

[Rerun]

nm

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I believe he was only placed on administrative leave and his weapon and uniforms taken away from him, after the pic was taken.

from your first post:

That’s right. I do not have a firearm. I’m still a police officer, but I’m in administrative support, so I work behind a desk. I’ve seen some of the comments about handling a firearm while on marijuana

I read that to mean he is and has been on admin. duty for some time. At the time he was not on leave. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but "leave" means he was not on the job. Which doesn't appear to be true. It appears that at the time the picture was taken he was on administrative support not front line policing.

Prior to this, I believe he was performing his regular duties (in uniform and armed) and lighting up whenever he felt the need to.

What are you basing this on?

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Again, he shouldn't have got past the psychiatric evaluation if his PSTD was that big of life altering issue.

Not to sound cold, but it sounds like he's unsuitable for a job with the RCMP.

LOL, that is pretty cold to say that he is unsuitable for a role in that case. But I can see where you are coming from. As a joe just walking down the street, if I'm in need of help I don't want some basket case coming to my rescue.

[FlamesAddiction]

I have nothing against medical marijuana for his affliction, but I do have to wonder whether or not an officer with severe enough post-traumatic distress that he needs to be medicated, should actually be on official duty. Shouldn't he be off with full compensation and in therapy?

[Locke]

Its really pretty simple: Dont get lit at work.

If you cant work without it then get help.