Poor excuse from senior cop

THE EDITOR: I refer to an article published in Section A of your newspaper, Wednesday January 7, 2004 on page 13: “Thieves take cop’s gun, ammo.” A policeman claimed that some men broke into his well-secured home and stole his police-issued firearm along with jewellery and alcoholic drinks.

Being a senior police officer myself, having served for over 25 years, I find that excuse poor for a number of reasons. Was he probably liming and did not secure his firearm and as a result, it was stolen? However, he will not make such a report for fear of being labelled careless, so he has a break-in. An ordinary thief (or thieves) will not break in a police officer’s house knowing that he has a firearm (as do all senior police officers). Secondly, such a police officer will most likely keep that weapon close to him especially at nights. Thirdly, the weapon would be, or should be, secured in a fireproof vault outfitted with a combination lock if it is to be kept far from the sleeping quarters.

DMC WALKER
Santa Cruz