THE EDITOR, Sir:

I wish you and all the members of staff at The Gleaner Company a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Of all the arguments we are hearing nowadays, the one in the forefront is about crime and violence. The other issue is about the police.

In the same way that athletes like Asafa Powell preparing to run a race have to be properly prepared mentally and physically, likewise, our policemen have to be ready with bullet-proof vests and helmets and other gear.

The Government faces big challenges concerning the police, crime and violence. The Minister of National Security, Mr. Derrick Smith, said that he will do all he can in getting the necessary resources needed to help the police in their fight against this gigantic crime plague.

We have heard that there are enough policemen around. But something is lacking. I don't think they are properly geared up. At the end of the year, 20 policemen have been killed so far. Something extraordinary has to be done to protect the police.

Maybe many of them would be alive today if the areas where the bullets hit them were adequately protected - even if there would have been a restriction of movement.

Finally, the police are getting a lot of bad names and the blame game may have taken a toll. In truth, despite all the negative arguments about the police, there are some genuine ones out there.

Yet still, what we need to understand, is that, if it were not the police, many more people would have died, and the crime rate would be much higher. So we cannot do without the police.

I am, etc.,

DONALD J. MCKOY

30 Poinciana Drive

Greendale, Spanish Town, St. Catherine