Police criticised for Facebook post of senior woman allegedly involved in theft case
- Replies 7
It's commonly said that respect and consideration for the elderly is a diminishing trait of modern-day society.
One example of a breach of respect has been making waves of late, with the news of a police force's post of a picture of a senior shopper in relation to an alleged theft incident at a supermarket.
On Wednesday, the St George Police Area Command in Sydney posted the photo of an unidentified woman on its Facebook page, believing that she may have information relevant to their investigation.
'St George Police are appealing for assistance from the public to identify the depicted female,' they wrote in the caption.
'Police believe the female can assist with investigations into a stealing incident that occurred at the Coles supermarket Ramsgate Road on December 21st.'
Many members of the public viewed the grainy photograph of the woman, who is depicted wearing glasses and with dishevelled hair, and in response, came to her defence, speculating that the stolen items were likely essential necessities rather than money.
'Times are tough, and splashing the lady's picture on social media doesn't help. Who knows what her situation is,' one commenter said.
Another went on to say: 'What did she steal from the supermarket that her picture has to be posted? When someone steals food to eat, you have to ask why and try and help. Very sad world we live in.'
'Judging from her body language, she's not a criminal. She's desperate for help probably because of the economy at the moment,' added a third.
In response to the backlash and criticism aimed at them for publicising the photograph, the police clarified that a substantial sum of money had, in fact, been stolen and that they were simply seeking the woman's cooperation and assistance in their investigation.
Others sympathised but argued that it was still wrong to steal, whatever the reasons may be.
'No excuse to steal,' one person argued.
Police policies and procedures around theft
When it comes to enforcing the law, police are required to adhere to a strict set of policies and procedures when dealing with suspected thieves. This includes the need to collect evidence, use appropriate methods of investigation, and maintain impartiality throughout the process.
In cases of theft, police will typically begin by identifying the offender using available evidence, conducting interviews and search operations, and gathering statements from witnesses and persons relevant to the case.
When it comes to responding to allegations of theft in a public setting, such as the alleged case at Coles, police are tasked with weighing up the severity of the case before determining a course of action. The aim is to provide an adequate and proportional response to the crime while also protecting the welfare, honour and dignity of the suspect.
As such, it may not always be necessary to publicly post the suspect's picture, insofar as it could breach their right to privacy and their right to a fair trial.
No one here condones stealing, but it does make us ponder about the society we live in and the challenges that our seniors face if the allegations are true.
It highlights how important it is for us to look out for one another, especially at such a difficult time for our community.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that people's financial circumstances are always changing, and that's why our mission is to make sure that all Australians can access discounts, offers and deals to make life more affordable.
It's a mission that we take seriously and take pride in, understanding that the information and services we offer can make a major difference in people's lives.
Please share with us your thoughts on this story - we'd love to hear from you in the comments!
One example of a breach of respect has been making waves of late, with the news of a police force's post of a picture of a senior shopper in relation to an alleged theft incident at a supermarket.
On Wednesday, the St George Police Area Command in Sydney posted the photo of an unidentified woman on its Facebook page, believing that she may have information relevant to their investigation.
'St George Police are appealing for assistance from the public to identify the depicted female,' they wrote in the caption.
'Police believe the female can assist with investigations into a stealing incident that occurred at the Coles supermarket Ramsgate Road on December 21st.'
The police have come under fire for posting a photo of an older woman on Facebook in connection with a reported theft at a Coles store in Ramsgate. Credit: Google.
Many members of the public viewed the grainy photograph of the woman, who is depicted wearing glasses and with dishevelled hair, and in response, came to her defence, speculating that the stolen items were likely essential necessities rather than money.
'Times are tough, and splashing the lady's picture on social media doesn't help. Who knows what her situation is,' one commenter said.
Another went on to say: 'What did she steal from the supermarket that her picture has to be posted? When someone steals food to eat, you have to ask why and try and help. Very sad world we live in.'
'Judging from her body language, she's not a criminal. She's desperate for help probably because of the economy at the moment,' added a third.
In response to the backlash and criticism aimed at them for publicising the photograph, the police clarified that a substantial sum of money had, in fact, been stolen and that they were simply seeking the woman's cooperation and assistance in their investigation.
Others sympathised but argued that it was still wrong to steal, whatever the reasons may be.
'No excuse to steal,' one person argued.
When it comes to enforcing the law, police are required to adhere to a strict set of policies and procedures when dealing with suspected thieves. This includes the need to collect evidence, use appropriate methods of investigation, and maintain impartiality throughout the process.
In cases of theft, police will typically begin by identifying the offender using available evidence, conducting interviews and search operations, and gathering statements from witnesses and persons relevant to the case.
When it comes to responding to allegations of theft in a public setting, such as the alleged case at Coles, police are tasked with weighing up the severity of the case before determining a course of action. The aim is to provide an adequate and proportional response to the crime while also protecting the welfare, honour and dignity of the suspect.
As such, it may not always be necessary to publicly post the suspect's picture, insofar as it could breach their right to privacy and their right to a fair trial.
The police are obligated to follow a rigid set of standards and procedures when it comes to enforcing the law when dealing with suspected thieves. Credit: Shutterstock.
No one here condones stealing, but it does make us ponder about the society we live in and the challenges that our seniors face if the allegations are true.
It highlights how important it is for us to look out for one another, especially at such a difficult time for our community.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that people's financial circumstances are always changing, and that's why our mission is to make sure that all Australians can access discounts, offers and deals to make life more affordable.
It's a mission that we take seriously and take pride in, understanding that the information and services we offer can make a major difference in people's lives.
Please share with us your thoughts on this story - we'd love to hear from you in the comments!
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