Our fine police force

**Swoop** · 12th July 2011, 11:27

Originally Posted by JMemonic

Sweet make sure you get a bank that actually has money

Cheers for the tip! I'll avoid kiwibank then.

**shrub** · 12th July 2011, 13:07

Originally Posted by tri boy

Decisions made in testing times and pressured situations arn't always the best...I am surprised that he received physical harm though, as it is obvious that Ari has a slightly different outlook on life.MHO

A lot of the army were TF, and he was probably wired, stressed and feeling very gung ho about things and ready to use available force to defuse a situation. Personally I don't blame him because those were very weird times and a lot of people did some strange and peculiar shit. The mistake was the hierarchy deciding to make something of it, they should have just kicked his skinny arse and sent him on his way.

Then you have what happened to the infamous John Walker Lindh. Not dissimilar, but much more extreme injustice.

**Winston001** · 12th July 2011, 23:21

Originally Posted by Usarka

True. I'd have had absolutely no issues with the cops giving a looter the bash.

But IF all facts have been presented i'd be quite happy with ok, you have issues, we gave you the bash lets call it quits.

Note - my nephews autistic so i'm probably slightly biased.....

Understood. I have an interest in Aspergers because I observe it in people but don't understand it. Possibly 5% of the population have some degree of autism.

**Winston001** · 12th July 2011, 23:38

Just a quick elaboration on our criminal justice system.

There are four levels:

1. An offence is committed but the Police/MAF/Customs etc decide it is low level and just give a warning.

2. Its a first offence, not serious, and the police offer Diversion. The offender is charged but so long as they recognise they are guilty, apologise to any victims, do some community-type work and/or make a donation to charity, the charge is withdrawn after 3 months.

3. The offender is charged and either pleads gulity or defends the charge. Mostly there is no jury trial but more serious charges have that option.

4. If the offender is found guilty. At this point the Judge has a decision to convict and sentence: impose a fine/community work/probation/prison. Or...discharge without conviction = no record, or convict and discharge without further penalty.

Much compassion has been expressed for the unfortunate young man in this case. However his intellectual limitations are best assessed at trial, or at sentencing. That is when compassion can be shown and often is in the justice system.

Which reminds me, many of the people who appear in District Courts have mental health problems. We hear public outrage on talkback about criminals and weak judges but few citizens have ever spent hours watching the sad parade of humanity our courts see every day.

**scissorhands** · 12th July 2011, 23:42

Originally Posted by Winston001

I observe it in people but don't understand it.

Neither do the police. I was taking with a cop and they have no training in dealing with autism. Hence this story and Aaron Farmer in the media.

**gammaguy** · 13th July 2011, 04:04

i wonder what would have happened if the building had collapsed on the harmless little guy,and the cops said"oh well,he was a few sandwiches short of a picnic,pretty harmless wee fella,so we let him go and get his light bulbs"

yeah right.

the law applies to everyone and the cops arent meant to be selective about who it applies to

**JMemonic** · 13th July 2011, 12:16

Originally Posted by Winston001

Understood. I have an interest in Aspergers because I observe it in people but don't understand it. Possibly 5% of the population have some degree of autism.

Ahh

that explains Nick Smith

**Scuba_Steve** · 22nd August 2011, 11:26

Well charges have been dropped.
after wasting alot of our money on a frivolous case, charges have finally been dropped.

Stuff article

**scumdog** · 22nd August 2011, 11:37

Happiness all round:
He gets off
And all those that thought he should not have been charged are pleased.

**oneofsix** · 22nd August 2011, 11:52

By the looks of it this guy is now better off than if he had been given diversion.

**scissorhands** · 23rd August 2011, 08:36

Makes you wonder who are the real retards for not dropping this sooner?

11 days locked up and a black eye for a couple of lightbulbs... and all the clever crims are making off with valuable shit all day long, everyday.

Nice work constables! All the nation( and international autistic community

) is in awe.

CHch is getting a reputation around the world, the words I remember from international forums were: '....appalling'... '...I'm glad my autistic sister lives in Auckland'...