SHOULD police officers carry guns – I was very surprised to read that the Chief of Police for Dyfed- Powys wants the general public to help him decide what to do about the above subject written in a recent Western Telegraph article.

With respect to Mr Salmon he is quite a well respected, and astute person in our society from what I read in the papers about his activities in his working environment I would like to think he has given this program quite a bit of thought and weighed up the pros, and cons because it is quite a sensitive issue and I do not think the general public would be too pleased in having to make a choice because this is a hot potato (s’cot nothing to do with me as one or two people I used to work with said they had to put their names on the line). Making this type of choice is his job, he knows more than the public what goes on. He is the one that decides, not the public he has been put in that position to make the correct choice.

Myself I am all for it and have voted ‘yes’ in the survey, because I do feel strongly that a police man’s job in this day and age is far different from when I was a youngster and I am now 76 years old there are people out there in our society that do not think twice of maiming anyone (the scum of the earth) respect is not an issue today with them or many other people.

I feel that the police are doing a dangerous job and they should have all the necessary means to protect themselves and also use it if required.

You have to many do gooders today in our society that think everyone is good and wonderful and that they would not harm a fly ‘no sir far from the truth’ this is why people like Mr Salmon are put in these positions they have or should have the ability to make the correct decision on the information at their disposal also he knows his job is on the line if it is not the correct one.

He has said some police on his beat are now wearing guns at the moment ‘So he has made his mind up’.

Good for Mr Salmon top man my vote any day do not retract now from your decision Sir or I think you may lose a lot of respect.

We have to look forward not backwards this world is now a very frightening place to live and you have to be on your guard all the time when you are out and about even in places like Pembroke because violence can erupt any time. Speeding is a killer too did the police ask the general public if they wanted speed cameras no they would have lost a lot of revenue if they had. The reason I have gone for yes I have had my eyes opened going to home watch meetings in Pembroke. It has surprised me what goes on in that small town in the evenings and weekends.

Many thanks for letting me have my say respect for one another in this world to me is tantamount, but is being eroded very slowly under our noses this is why we have to resort to draconian measure.

Something which has stood out in my mind all my life – When I was only around 12 years of age (late 1940’s) I remember my father who was also quite an astute chap well read, saying to me ‘One day boy we will be like Yanky land in this country the police will be carrying guns (He was not far from the truth). That was the time when you could go out and leave your front door unlocked and police only needed a cosh even the roughians respected them.

HERBERT GRIFFITHS

Pembroke

* Editor’s note: It is Dyfed- Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon who has asked for views on police carrying guns.