THE EDITOR, Sir:
WE ALL agree that the police force is an integral component to the control of crime. Furthermore, the public embracing, supporting and cooperating with the efforts of police would even lead to greater results.
This, however, cannot be achieved until the general attitude of a vast majority of our police personnel has changed. Their daily demeanour suggests that they have no regard or respect for the citizens of this country.
The 'badmanism' and 'despotism' with which some of them perform their duties show that they have no respect or regard for another human.
ABUSE OF CITIZENS
I have witnessed on two or three occasions, police personnel unnecessarily verbally and physically abuse citizens of this country. The incident with the beaten policeman at Mt. Salem, St. James, epitomises the general mindset of our cops in dealing with criminals or even suspects.
Is this the way they are trained to handle us as Jamaicans if they perceive that we have gone contrary to the law?
Every human being must be respected and treated as such, even if he is a common criminal. The police must realise that treating the pubic with tyranny and violence will not solve any of our issues.
WILL WIDEN GAP
It will just lead to the creation of a gap between themselves and us as Jamaicans, and that will do no good in the crisis which we face.
Whenever people are confident that the police are working for our good we will see much more cooperation from the general public. Until then, just whisper a prayer in your heart that you will be spared a beating whenever you come in contact with any member of the force.
I am, etc.,
OLIVER GREEN (Jr.)
P.O. Box 5213, Cambridge
St. James.
