Police Funeral.

[nedflanders]

Why the big hoo-haa yesterday about the funeral of the Police officer shot in Bradford? Did this man not deserve the same treatment for an even more brave act in the same city?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/3504918.stm

[gary baldy]

I think the reasoning is (and i am not saying i agree with this) that your fella was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was victim to a random act of violence.
The police on the other hand potentially put themselves in the face of danger everytime they go out. The wpc died in the line of duty and therefore should be honoured as such. Your fella, although a sad story and obviously quite brave, did not.

[El D]

On the contrary, the police are paid to maintain public order with the inherent risks involved - this man was not paid, he was merely acting on instinct. It could (and should imo) be argued that this man also died in the line of public duty. I agree ned that this man deserves the same treatment.

And yet, I do not recall hearing about this in the national news. . . I do feel that such pandering to media interest in a story is a sad state of affairs. Publicity, it seems, dictates out heroes.

[Gef]

The tone of your question suggests that you were not really interested in Mr. Hussain's funeral (do you know what it was like?) but rather are complaining about what you see as a "big hoo-haa" made about a brave Police officer. In my opinion your question is insensitive and thoughtless just like you.

[Steb]

I think the reason that Mr Hussein's act of bavery and his consequent death was not reported is because the media is, to a large part, institutionally racist. I remember seeing a couple of weeks ago a story on the BBC about a woman who attacked and seriously injured a guy who broke into her pub.

Had Mr Hussein been white and 'even better' blonde, young and middle class - the story would have got national coverage.

As for the hoo-haa about the WPC's funeral. Sometimes the media, particularly the right wing media, does seam to portray a police murder as somehow more wrong or more serious than an ordinary citizen being murdered, which is why I think some people get a bit annoyed.

But in the case of this WPC - yes she was being paid for what she did - but I can tell you - even if I was being paid, I'm not sure I would be quite so brave as she was, so I her funeral deserved the attention and status it got.

[nedflanders]

gef - get a grip man and please do not even attempt to assume what I am thinking in future! Of course I am sympathetic to both of these people and their families but what I am bemoaning is double standards and to a certain extent racism! I agree with steb's comments about the fact that she was a blonde middle class woman and shot by 3 men of ethnic minority as opposed to an asian man shot by a white man (cant have too much of that in the news can we for goodness sake).

[Dolly1308]

Keep stirring the pot ned !

[Gef]

Well then ned why don't you post your questions in a less offensive manner.

[Andy008]

I think it is the case that the murder of a police officer undermines the public confidence in the duty of the police to protect people.

Being a police officer is a stressful and potentially very dangerous job. Risking injury and perhaps even death is an unfortunate part of the job. This woman unfortunately paid with her life.

[nedflanders]

Whats oofensive about it gef? the word "hoo-haa"? If its so offensive then report it or shut up!

[redhand]

over 300 police murdered in northern ireland and what does the government do demean them ,change the name and let the killers of them and other people out