The Editor, Sir:

Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin is correct when he says that it cannot be right for the police to shoot a man because he attacked them with a toothpick.

The commissioner, therefore, seeks to save citizens' lives by providing the police with "a range of options, other than resorting to deadly force".

Michael Gayle's death shows how lethal 'non-lethal' weapons can prove to be. Security forces did not fire at Gayle, but they beat and kicked him until he vomited faeces and ultimately died. The 'non-lethal' weapons could possible fuel aggression because they generally leave no visible signs of physical abuse.

Evaluate 'non-lethal' weapons

Admiral Lewin has to hold the police accountable for adhering to use of force policies and procedures. He must ensure that the police know how to use their weapons properly, and how to distinguish between threats they can evade and threats they must counter with lethal force. If they use too much force, they can cause death; if they use too little force, where force is needed, they may endanger themselves.

The commissioner will, therefore, need to evaluate 'non-lethal' weapons, using much the same criteria as he would use for lethal weapons.

Will this 'non-lethal' weapon be able to enable the police to neutralise the threat immediately, fully, temporarily, and with little or no side effect?

Those who make 'non-lethal' weapons will claim their products are safe. Few of them are likely to state how these weapons will affect those who are old, young, sickly or otherwise fragile. They will claim that any deaths linked to the weapons are due to the subject's resistance to control or his state of health before he was targeted.

Tackling issues

The commissioner needs to assure the public that the police won't panic and offer lethal force at the sight of a toothpick, but will remain professional and accountable while protecting themselves and the public.

Admiral Lewin needs to show that he is doing more than simply introducing another type of weapon into police armoury. He needs to share with the public how 'non-lethal' weapons will improve policing in terms of cost, safety, and practicality of use.

Most of all, he must show that he is holding the police accountable for operating within the framework of the law and with independent oversight.

I am, etc.,

YVONNE McCALLA SOBERS

sobersy@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica