With a mission statement to prevent, detect and investigate crime, keep our roads safe and co-ordinate rescue efforts in emergencies, our amazing police officers are certainly in need of much equipment to fulfil their daily mandate. With a Glock pistol, capsicum spray, taser, two-way radios, batons, torches, handcuffs, gloves, body cameras and a first-aid kit, 17,000 police officers walk the streets in service of the 8 million residents in NSW every day. No doubt the weighed-down leather belts and optional body armour might be a challenging load for some. With the proposition of “Jack’s Law” passing the NSW Parliament soon, I guess there is room on those navy blue cargo pants for another pocket to secure the required knife-detecting wand (“Jack’s Law set for NSW streets”, DT, 7/5). But surely, the items required to be always carried are becoming excessive, as are our expectations of our fantastic police officers. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 8May2024
