Yet another reason I can’t see myself bringing myself to vote for the Libs at the next NSW election (not that I think I’ll be able to bring myself to vote ALP, either): Barry O’Farrell’s interesting take on the criminal justice system:
If he (Williams) had a criminal record, what’s he doing on the street in the first place?
Bazza, you do know that most people convicted of crimes are not locked up for the rest of their lives?
In any case, his defence of the police chase re responsibility for the crash is weak. The chase “just moments” before the crash. I’m sure that the driver was able to read the minds of the police force and knew absolutely that they weren’t chasing him any more. /sarcasm
The NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, also has this to say:
The NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, said yesterday that everything had been ”done by the book”.
”I have a degree of comfort that our officers acted appropriately and I am certain that they were simply doing their job,” he said.
”Our thoughts go out to not only those involved in the accident but their families, loved ones, and please spare a thought for those officers involved.
”No officer would ever want to go through this – these men were simply doing their job.”
Well, Andrew, have you ever thought that maybe “the book” is wrong, and maybe what these officers were being told to do is wrong?
The article continues:
New laws were introduced last month creating tougher penalties for those who lead police on pursuits, including jail sentences of up to three years, with a maximum term of five years for repeat offenders.
Hmm, how to explain this. Look, if someone is trying to evade pursuit, it’s because they think they can get away. A higher penalty is not going to stop police chases. I suspect that penalty won’t have much effect at all, but that if it does, the higher the penalty, the more they’ll want to get away – so if anything, a higher penalty is going to mean more police chases. A higher penalty may also encourage the police to chase.
But whether under the current government or a putative Liberal one, I don’t think we’re going to see any sensible political debate on this.
Wallaby 
I don’t think we’re going to see any sensible political debate on this.
Nor should it primarily be a political debate – it should be investigated as a procedural issue.
The chase itself (or any individual chase) – yes, absolutely.
However, re the general procedures surrounding police chases (especially the penalties for getting yourself chased) – I see these as political.
Yes, I meant this particular chase. Everyone is pushing forward their own emotional narrative and the media is encouraging that angle. Nothing useful comes of judgements and policies made under those circumstances, and often very harmful policy is made. It should be a procedural issue, hopefully leading to a coronial inquest.