The Editor, Sir:

I was recently dumbfounded upon reading with dismay about the prime minister's decision to go ahead with his plans to increase the powers given to the police.

Isn't it already in the laws that a citizen can be detained for long periods with frequent visits to the appropriate judiciary body to approve same? Isn't this clause the protector of people's rights, ensuring that people are not held indefinitely without reasonable and just cause?

So, how can a police officer be asking another police officer for permission to detain citizens? This seems to lack reasoning and a separation of duties.

legislative arms

The executive and legislative arms of the Government should never overlap. At no point should one arm be authorising the actions of that same arm as we are seeing with the passing of this law.

The Government is setting itself up for a big embarrassment if they try to enforce such an action and it is tested through the courts.

And what do they hope to achieve by extending the period where a person convicted of a gun crime can be eligible for parole? Is it that parolees are committing the crimes? Is it that the qualification for parole is too lax?

Perhaps the Government needs to refocus on this one. It appears to be ill-advised.

I am, etc.,

ROBERT HOWELL

roberthowelljm@yahoo.com