Undercover police officer left shocked by community's actions
A police officer has had his faith in humanity restored after going undercover as a disabled man.
Sergeant Mark Horsley pretended to be a paralysed man with a brain injury, after two wheelchair bound people were robbed at knifepoint in Vancouver, Canada.
He secretly filmed his undercover operation in Downtown Eastside, one of the city’s roughest neighbourhoods, including his interactions with passers-by who stopped for a chat or asked him for change.
In the video released by police, one young man can be seen asking Horsley if he can pray for his recovery.
While another who spots some cash hanging out of Horsley’s pants, stops, zips his pocket back up and tells him to be careful with his money.
“In all my interactions with people I told them that I couldn’t count and when we were exchanging food or different things they would take change from my hand, not once did anyone shortchange me,” Sgt Horsley said.
In fact, the police officer ended up $33.56 (USD $24.75) ahead at the end of his undercover operation.
Sgt Horsley said the generosity and compassion of the people he met was truly inspiring.
“The community accepted me very quickly as being one of theirs,” he said.
“Not one person took advantage of my vulnerability.”
He noted the project allowed him to see Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside from a different perspective.
“This community has soul, vicitmising the vulnerable is far beneath the people of the Downtown Eastside.”
He warned that any despicable person willing to victimise the vulnerable would have to answer to the police and the Downtown community.
“They care and they take care of their vulnerable people.”
Morning news break – July 18
