First, let me send, wholeheartedly, my condolences to the family and friends of Sgt Brown, former member of Mrs. Simpson Miller's security detail, who was brutally murdered weeks ago just after transporting home a female associate, as well as the other 11 policemen who have been killed on or off duty since the start of the year.

My concern is with the usual profound utterances of condemnation that always follow in these arbitrary police killings from the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of National Security and Police Commissioner. It begs one to ask the question: Is the life of a Police Officer more valuable and important than that of any ordinary Jamaican civilian?

Certainly, I strongly believe that if any member of our nation's security dies in the line of duty or is targeted by virtue of being a law enforcer, he should automatically be conferred with a medal of honour for gallantry, to be collected by his next of kin.

However, if an off-duty (unidentifiable) officer who is carrying on with his normal day-to-day, personal activities like any member of society who, unfortunately, is caught up in a random act of robbery or other criminality and consequently is murdered in the process, why should the passing of his life be publicly treated with so much higher regard than the 1,500 other Jamaicans that are murdered, on average, every year in Jamaica?

I totally support the highest offices in the land publicly condemning the murder of a Jamaican who just happens to be a police officer. But, not to extend likewise condemnation and outcry to the average 'Joe' simply because they are of a different profession is undermining and very unjust.

- R.O.P.