What are we paying these people for?

Lest anyone suspect this corner of indulging in an unseemly end-zone dance at the apprehension of Toronto Police Constable Babak Andalib-Goortani, let me emphasize: this is barely the start.

As numerous observers have pointed out, Babak seems to be wearing it all by himself – for now. Once again, though, the pictures and video speak for themselves. Res ipsa loquitur.

So forgive me, once again, for raising the awkward question: what about the others?

This may sound naive, but isn't it a police officer's duty to stop criminal activity, to apprehend the suspects and to see to it that they're held accountable in accordance with the law and the principles of justice?

There are what, half a dozen people in the video whaling on Adam Nobody? And a couple more plainclothes cops who almost kicked his head in after he was arrested? And yet with the exception of one cop, who must be considering other career options by now, not one Toronto police officer knows anything, saw anything, heard anything?

In the plainest possible terms: Dozens, if not hundreds of cops witness brutally, egregiously criminal behaviour right in front of their fucking noses, and:

• do nothing to stop it
• fail to arrest the perpetrators
• go all Tommy when the SIU starts looking into it.

What the fuck are we paying these assholes for?