Who's paying for those 7000 cops to go to those regimental funerals. That's right us. Knowing coppers, I bet everything is free and that they will be paid for the time they are there or they wouldn't go.

If we really must waste millions of dollars, then instead of the usual mawkish displays of uniform worship that they seem to love here why not give something to the families instead. I'm sure that poor woman with the young kid expecting another could do with a few bob now.

Get back in your box, you're disgusting

There's no need for personal attacks.

Maybe you'd prefer to spend your cash on opulent funerals rather than give the widow some financial assistance - it's your choice I suppose. Personally I think the whole 'being seen to care' being more important than actually caring thing is a bit crass. It's a bit depressing that society is like this.

Its like any type of organization that derives power from physical force, be it the police, military or organized crime groups, they always have an over-the-top display of mourning and solidarity to demonstrate they're still a viable power. I agree, a low-key memorial with the extra money going to the families would have been far more respectful.

I feel that the OP posted in such a way to invoke outrage but I do happen to agree with his general tone and the poster who followed your post.....What does it really achieve flying 1000's of officers across the country to a funeral.? A donation/trust fund to the affected families and those officers who knew the victims attending the funeralwould be more appropriate. What happens in these cases when the affected families don't want all the media attention and just want a quiet service?

You will probably find that the vast majority of these officers if not all paid their own way to this funeral and very few if any taxpayers dollars were used.
Officers will have taken vacation or are on days off while attending and paid their own way.

Yeah, sure they will. There was a charity bike ride that some RCMP did around here - turns out they all got paid while they was on it. Basically, show me the receipts or I don't believe you.

Pfft.

I think you misunderstand or have blinkers on. An officer on leave or rest day is paid regardless as they receive an annual salary which encompasses vacation and rest days. Its called collective bargaining and terms of employment.

I think you'll probably find that they didn't take vacation.

How many of these 7000 were from the USA?
I know any funeral I wish to attend its paid for out of my own pocket and I either take vacation or alter my scheduled hours so Im not taking time off work when I should be working.

This isn't your ordinary funeral though is it. It's a full on ceremonial one with horses and parades and stuff like that.

(I assume none of the 7000 are from the US as the reports claim they are RCMP)

Ultimately though, why not do as Oink suggests - have a low key affair, and give the cost difference to the families?

We need dboy/boyd here to tell us, albeit angrily, the straight goods.

As I was writing the OP I thought of the blood vessels in dboy's forehead throbbing with the the rage of a 1000 suns and shed a tear for the thread that might have been had he been here.

Although I actually liked getting his (admittedly very angry) perspective.

This was a regimental funeral that are usually not afforded to all officers who are killed while on duty.
So how about state funerals for politicians etc etc aren't they a waste of money as well.
Look I know you don't have a great deal of admiration for the police but why bring it up in a thread. Yes its a discussion or an opinion but I tend to think most will disagree with your views in light of this incident.