Shooting to kill?

IS THERE any need to tell policemen that they may shoot to kill to protect themselves and the lives of other citizens? We think not. We believe that policemen all over the world, from their training, their own experience and the dangerous job they are called upon to do, understand and accept this fully. They do not have a licence to kill; but they certainly have the authority to defend themselves and other innocent persons from dangerous threats. This fact should become a part of their mental equipment as law enforcement officers, and there should be no necessity for anyone to publicly emphasise or remind them of it.

That is why we must consider as somewhat unfortunate the advice issued on Monday by Acting Insp Christopher Holder, president of the Police Second Division Association, who told members of the service: "Don't hesitate to shoot to kill in protecting your lives and limbs and also those of other citizens." As a statement that is already well accepted, we can have no quarrel with what is expressed, per se. Even National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee was unperturbed by Insp Holder's shoot-to-kill call, since he felt it was made in the right context. However, we find it disturbing when such needless advice is issued publicly to policemen by an officer in Insp Holder's position. It raises questions because it appears to be an emotional reaction to recent violent attacks against policemen and, in these highly charged circumstances, we wonder how easily it can be misinterpreted or provide unintended support for policemen who may be prone to shoot first and ask questions after, when confronted by any kind of threat.

In an editorial a few days ago, we had cause to reply to Commissioner Hilton Guy who accused the media of "screaming police brutality." The essential point we made was that the media were merely messengers recording the complaints of persons living in underprivileged areas whose homes and neighbourhoods were raided by the Police. We also reminded Mr Guy of the long history of persons being beaten or shot to death by the Police in questionable circumstances. This is a situation that we must be concerned about, regardless of attacks on policemen or the level of crime in the country. Trinidad and Tobago, we must point out, is not a police state. And officers should be careful not to give any support, however subliminal, to those who may have a trigger-happy approach to their duties. In this regard, we would concur with the more sensible call made by Mr Guy for officers to use "appropriate defence measures" to ensure their safety when dealing with the criminal element. The Commissioner explained himself by adding that "appropriate measures" would depend on the police officer who must use his own judgment based on the prevailing circumstances.

This newspaper can hardly be happy with the recent spate of violent assaults on policemen. According to Mr Guy, now more than ever before officers are bombarded by unprovoked attacks from criminals. These incidents may indicate a growing desperation among the ranks of the lawless who may be seeking to undermine the morale and effectiveness of the Service. If that is the strategy, we hardly think it will succeed. We have always maintained that the majority of our policemen are honest officers dedicated to the job of protecting and serving our society. But they must be careful not to allow the present situation to drive them into a siege mentality where the wrong messages are sent, balance is eroded, undue force becomes part of their modus and innocent persons may suffer at their hands.