Law Enforcement has Interfered with Justice

Law enforcement plays an integral role in the functioning of society and the criminal investigation process. Notably, while law enforcers do protect the public, there are instances whereby they act as a limitation towards the achievement of justice for victims. On the 14th of March, 2023, Nino Bucci, journalist for The Guardian, reported on a Melbourne case where rape charges were dropped because the police search conducted was illegal, allowing for an appeal.

Bucci reported that in 2020, six officers obtained a search warrant to investigate a man's home who was suspected to have kidnapped a missing girl. The warrant only allowed the officers to search for any children who may have been in the home and place them in protective custody. The officers during the search established that there was no one in the house, however, they continued their search and discovered numerous sources of evidence that included a video of a man allegedly raping a woman. The evidence was foundational to the pressing of rape and drug charges. The alleged offender appealed to the Victorian Court of Appeal on the basis that the evidence discovered during the search was not in line with the warrant granted. The Court allowed the appeal and dropped the charges. As a result of these officers' inability to comply with their legal responsibilities and warrant, an alleged offender was able to avoid trial and punishment for the alleged crimes committed. Accordingly, there are instances where law enforcement is the reason justice is not achieved for victims. 

When law enforcement is seen to breach its powers, it creates distrust between the police and the public. In 2023, a Queensland police officer was posted on Tik Tok shown to have let a child pepper spray themselves, effectively breaching their power once again. The Queensland Senior Constable stood by as the child proceeded to spray himself and experience extreme pain. It was reported by Warren Barnsley on 7NEWS that the officer is no longer with the Queensland Police Service. However, it is examples such as these which demonstrate the lack of seriousness and responsibility taken with the power given to police officers. In this case, the officer possessed the knowledge that the spray would cause discomfort and proceeded to let a child misuse his weapon, and inflict pain on themselves. 

Abuse of power on behalf of officers is further evident in March of 2023 when a Sydney police officer pleaded guilty to stalking a woman by misusing the Computerised Operational Policing System database to obtain further information about her. For a period of 11 days, the officer stalked the woman using police resources. The misuse of such resources demonstrates the need for stricter policies and punishments on officers who abuse their power. In society, law enforcement is who children and adults are taught to trust. Where officers are the ones breaching the laws and interfering with the justice of victims, it begs the question, who are we to turn to as a society in the event of harm?