THE EDITOR, Sir:

I felt so terrible when I heard the news that three policemen were disarmed by a so-called madman. I ask myself the question, I wonder if these men are really soldiers or mannequins posing as human beings? Are these policemen blind, positioned at one strategic place? Another question, have these policemen been through the six-month training process at Twickenham Park? I had previously written a letter proposing an annual training for policemen and still not seen any steps taken regarding implementing that initiative.I think police should continue the training that they received months or years ago, because it is very vital when incidents like these arise.

I think police should abide by the guidelines of the laws of the country:

[1] Policemen should demonstrate professionalism when not on duty.

[2] Policemen should not easily physically abuse any member of the public unless there's no alternative.

[3] Allow members of the public to their rights whenever they are detained.

[4] They should speak to members of the public properly when relating to them; don't threaten or curse.

[5] Not because police signals to a vehicle to stop and it doesn't gives them the right to 'shoot up' the vehicle; there is a proper way and I think that way is to apply excessive force by calling for backup and apprehending that individual. Often times, there are incidents that police shoot a driver because he refused to stop. Abide by the law, I plea.

I don't know 100 per cent what the training entails, but I heard that the training is drastically a very disciplinary process. What happened to the self-defence training that you policemen were taught? Why didn't you apply that technique when the so-called madman made his attempt? Other policemen should wake up and smell the coffee. You can't be armed with a rifle and be so 'unalert'.

I am, etc.,

Mark Bell

Photographer

47 Harbour Drive,

Kingston 17