There aren't a lot of wimps in police services in Victoria -- or anywhere in the capital region, for that matter. There are not a lot of pigs, either, despite what you might see on a mural.

It takes courage and conviction to be a police officer. They are exposed to danger every time they are on duty. They might be called upon to defuse a tense domestic situation, break up a bar fight or stop a robbery in progress. They make our communities safe places to live.

They need to have thick skins. How many other people are expected to keep a level head while they are being spat upon, sworn at or punched? For police officers, it is all in a day's work.

Now, to add insult to injury, a mural on the side of the Wildfire Bakery on Quadra Street shows pigs in police hats, wearing iron crosses reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Uncle Sam, complete with stars and stripes, appears to be directing the police. One of the porcine officers is shooting an unarmed man.

The walls of the bakery have welcomed murals for years and the commentary on police will probably only last until another artist has an idea and money for paint. In a few days or weeks, the social commentary as expressed in the pig mural will be history.

Yes, the mural reflects the principle of freedom of speech. In Canada, it is a fundamental right. We have accepted limits, as set out in laws of defamation and Criminal Code provisions against promoting hatred.

But we recognize that individuals, in an open and democratic society, must have the freedom to speak their minds -- even, or perhaps especially, when a majority finds their ideas objectionable or offensive.

It is legitimate to criticize the actions of police officers or indeed the role of police departments. But derogatory stereotypes -- whether of police officers as "pigs" or the addicted as "junkies" -- are destructive. They blind us to the reality that we are talking about other human beings. They legitimize unwarranted abuse and scorn.

Police forces across Canada have had problems in recent years. Those problems need to be addressed, through changes in procedures or personnel, but they should not colour our views of the police in general.

The vast majority of officers are hard-working, dedicated people committed to doing what is right. The way to address issues in policing is not to dehumanize police officers or associate them with one of history's most evil regimes.

An offensive image can have repercussions for others, even those who believe in free speech. A painting of a pig in a police hat will be seen as reflecting the views of other street artists, the owner of the business and the owner of the building.

There are many examples of fine artwork on local walls. Some are celebratory. Some are critical of our institutions. Their existence is a tangible symbol of our right to free speech, one of the privileges we have as citizens in a democracy.

But no commentary should promote contempt of anyone based on age, ancestry, religion, colour, disability, gender, gender identity, occupation or political affiliation.

Police officers are tough. They face much worse abuse every day, so they can surely take the hateful images painted on a wall.

But they should not have to.