When I first saw the online picture gallery featuring hundreds of convicted “rioters” on Flickr, two thoughts crossed my mind: number one, this has to be a policing first, and number two, is this morally correct?
Well, several debates later and Britain has still yet to decide whether it is right or wrong for police to put arrested rioters on blast over the internet.
While those with a twisted sense of humor can laugh and point out the person who “kinda sorta” looks like their ex, and the more serious can shake their head in disgust, the overall reaction to this name and shame tactic has been hot and cold.
In a statement by the police however, there intentions for this controversial new venture are simple: They want the British public and in fact the whole of the world wide web to know that those convicted of rioting did not “get away” with their actions.
Commander Simon Foy said: “We have made these pictures available so that communities across London can see that those who took part in the appalling scenes which shocked us all have been brought to justice.”
He added: “I want to send a clear message to those involved that you will not get away with it.”
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Still not sold on the idea yet? No, me neither.
Of course this unexpected move by the police could be seen as a bonus gift with the “justice” package we were promised to get when the riots first began, however I find the narcissism behind the “look what a great job we have done” facade slightly nauseating.
It can be argued that this kind of “justice” could hinder the rehabilitation process all convicts are supposed to go through.
How can somebody who comes out of prison after serving their time possibly move on with their lives when their faces, names, ages, addresses, and details of their convictions, are all available at the click of a button?
Indeed it must be said that some of these criminals may have had a devastating effect on somebody’s life, the idea that I can now “favorite” and comment on their mug shots, is not something that appears to be entirely ethical.
It is also ironic that the Internet is being used as a weapon of justice, as it was only a few weeks ago that British politicians blamed and even try to ban social media for helping to begin the riots in the first place.
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However, some have seen the positives in the gallery, such as 22-year-old student Hayley Gant: “I think this is actually a good idea and it should be expanded.
They [police] should put murderers and rapists online so that everybody can know who they are.
It might even make people think twice before they run off and commit a crime.”
In opposition to that opinion stands 24-year-old graphic designer, Ivan Johnson, who believes that the gallery is pointless, saying: “It is just not right for them [police] to do this.
They have never done anything like this before for serious crimes, so I just think it’s purposeless.”
Whether you believe it is right or wrong, one thing is for sure is the police are not done calling people out, as last month alone they added over a hundred new pictures to the Flickr page.
So the name, blame and shame game that has gripped politics around the riots continues, and as long as the public are divided the only thing left to say is…CHEESE!
