Let’s get it right!

20.MAY.11

Editor: The reinstating of the three convicted police officers by the Commissioner of Police to their posts is being widely debated, and rightly so. While we may argue that it is not legally wrong, yet morally it is.{{more}}

It is understandable that the officers would have their families to take care of, thus the need for them to be employed. The issue here is not whether they should be employed or not, but rather the message that will be sent to the general public and other officers. Will the general public have confidence in the police force? Will other police officers feel that they can do similar acts and get away with it, simply because in the estimation of the police chief they have served well? Indeed these impressions must never be given. It may be true that the young man who was brutalized is a trouble maker, yet what was done to him will in no way aid in stopping him from committing crimes. His case needs special attention and could have been dealt with better. Therefore, what was done to the young man by these three officers was not justified, that is why they lost their case, even though they appealed. So to reinstate them as officers is indeed sending a wrong signal to the community and gives a bad image to both the Commissioner and the police force.

Mr. Commissioner, you have taken a wrong path. It is not too late to correct the wrong. Failure to do socan cause you to lose your credibility and respect amongst the public and your own ranks. Indeed, everyone needs to be employed, but please not back in the force where they have a criminal record.

It is my hope that nothing like this would be repeated. Let us restore confidence to the police force. Let us have a more disciplined force. Thank you.

Kennard King