THE EDITOR, Sir:

The recent incident at Ardenne High once again underscores the need for the society to take a careful look at the operational procedures of our law enforcement officers who are agents of the state. There is the need for those who are charged with the responsibility for training these persons to rethink the methodology and use simple conventional tactics in order to subdue perpetrators of crime and violence.

The National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ) takes issue with the approach taken by the police in trying to apprehend the individual who was reportedly throwing stones. There can be no explanation for excessive force to be used in the case at Ardenne High - firing shots at an unarmed person who is suspected to be insane is not the way.

We urge the Commissioner of Police and his team to embark immediately upon a retraining exercise of our law enforcement officers, whereby they are reminded that the "drawing and discharge" of their weapon is a last resort and must only be utilised in extreme and life threatening circumstances.

The firing of weapons within a school zone must not be tolerated and in that regard we ask that the security forces take the appropriate steps to prevent any reoccurrence.

We sympathise with the student who was injured and her parents and we wish her a speedy recovery. To the principal, teachers, students, and parents at Ardenne High, we share your pain over this incident and will be praying for you as also for the injured student.

Let us all work together to create a positive and safe future for our children.

I am, etc.,

SYLVESTER ANDERSON

President

National Parent-Teacher

Association of

Jamaica (NPTAJ)