Dear Editor,

I am appalled to hear that the commissioner of police is actually contemplating the use of masks by police officers when they are engaging in “certain operations”.

Corruption is nurtured and bred in secrecy. By approving the wearing of masks by police officers we are throwing gasoline on the raging flames of corruption in the police force.

Why should Jamaican police officers be permitted to execute their lawful duties masked? What do the police have to hide? Look at the number of unjustifiable police killings we already have to deal with. Why is the commissioner even contemplating the unleashing of the faceless death squad on the citizenry? How will the force ensure accountability? In my opinion, to even consider such a move in a corrupt police force such as ours indicates the lack of genuine political will on the part of our leaders to stamp out corruption in the force.

If the police high command decides to go ahead with this plan, all hopes of transparency and accountability will be dashed. Imagine the abuse of human rights we will face … without recourse, all because we cannot identify the perpetrators of the crime.

The corrupt police officers within the force do not need any additional power to carry out their duties and the few good police officers do not need masks. I hope the commissioner will let common sense prevail.

Nya Wright

Kingston