Sympathy for police

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Kindly permit me to comment on a letter, dated February 22, 2011, under the heading 'Hooligan cops?'

It is very easy for those of us who do not have to put ourselves in danger each working day to be critical of our policemen who generally go to bed wondering if they or members of their family are going to be harmed for the simple act of trying to do a good job.

In the case of the five officers who are accused of having raped the dancer, they would have certainly earned the name 'hooligan' if they are found guilty of the crime of which they have been accused.

However, neither I nor the person who signed as 'A. Human' has the right to pass such judgement. That is why, as in all civilised countries, even a person accused of the most atrocious of all crimes gets his/her day in court where the evidence presented will determine guilt or innocence.

Our police are carefully screened, tested and credentials checked before they are allowed to even begin at the training school. Every body of human beings, whether in the police, the army, church ministry, etc., have their own share of bad apples, but I will wager a bet that the great majority, even among the ministers of religion, are dedicated to carrying out their duties in accordance with the training which they received.

ignorant of police duties?

To speak about "cowboy shoot-outs and collateral massacres" is an indication that this particular 'human' is quite unaware of what a policeman faces daily. If confronted by a gunman, would 'Human' prefer if the policeman cries "cree!" and reads the beatitudes, or should he just save the gunman the trouble and proceed to shoot himself rather than engage the gunman in a 'cowboy shoot-out'?

'Human', our police force is doing a great job of trying to protect us. The fact that a small number of them seem to be corrupt or even trigger-happy is no measure by which to judge the entire police force. Letters like these can only serve to demotivate those who risk their lives to protect us.

Would I continue to live in Jamaica without the police force? Heck no, 'Human', and I am sure you wouldn't want to either.

I am, etc.,

DERRYCK M. PENSO

pensowrite@yahoo.com