Forcillo
had a fair trial: two thirds
Most think verdict will lead to better policing
TORONTO January
25th - In
a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 549 Toronto
voters, fully two thirds agree Constable James Forcillo has been able to get a
fair trial (67%), while less than one fifth think he has not (17%). One sixth
don’t have an opinion (16%). Thinking Constable Forcillo did not get a fair
trial is especially common to residents of Scarborough (25%) and those in
middle income ($40K to $60K - 31%) and the highest income brackets ($100K to
$250K - 21%). The percentage believing Forcillo has received a fair trial has
increased sharply since before the verdict was announced (January 20 - 57% fair
trial, 15% no fair trial. This change has come from the ranks of those who did
not have an opinion (January 20 - 28%) but have one now (January 25 - 16% don’t
know).
Plurality agrees “suicide by cop” defense should not have been
presented
Close
to one half agrees with the judge in this case that the “suicide by cop” defense
theory should not have been allowed in court (46%), whereas 4-in-10 thinks this
defense theory should have been allowed (41%). This position is common to
boomers (55 to 64 - 50%), the wealthiest (49%), in North York (46%) and among
Doug Ford voters (60%).
Most think verdict will lead to better policing
Close
to 4-in-10 Torontonians think the guilty verdict in the Forcillo trial will
lead to better policing in Toronto (39%), while one quarter thinks it will lead
to worse policing (24%). One third think it will make no difference (32%).
Those who think better policing will result are especially likely to be younger
(35 to 44 - 46%), the oldest (49%), mid income groups ($60K to $80K - 50%), in
North York (47%) and among John Tory voters (47%).
Increasing majority approve of charging police with murder
Six-in-ten
Toronto voters approve of charging police officers with murder for firing their
weapon in the line of duty (60%), less than one quarter disapproves (24%) and
one sixth don’t have an opinion. The percentage approving of this has increased
sharply from the last time we asked this question (August 2013 - 51% approve,
25% disapprove, 24% don’t know). Those who disapprove of charging police
officers with murder are commonly those in mid income brackets ($40K to $80K -
29%).
“What we see is a
crystallization of public opinion on the appropriateness of holding police
officers to the same standards as other citizens, and also on the fairness of
Constable Forcillo’s trial. It appears the guilty verdict for attempted murder
has just confirmed what most believed all along, that police officers can be
charged with murder, that Constable Forcillo was fairly tried and that it will
lead to a positive outcome in the end, apart from Sammy Yatim’s tragic death,” said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
