Abuse of our police is simplynotacceptable

Police in television documentaries are routinely abused by offenders and bystanders.

Spitting, coughing on them, throwing eggs and other detritus at them, as well as the all-too-common use of the most filthy language, are all part of what our police have to endure on a daily basis.

Even worse are the claims made by offenders under arrest that they have just swallowed a drug, such as heroin or cocaine.

One offender gave a very good imitation of somebody having a fit, shaking and kicking in the back of the police van when about to leave for the station.

In such circumstances, the police have no choice but to take such prisoners to hospital for testing to ensure they are clear of drugs.

One such offender took up the time of a police officer and hospital staff for five hours, not to mention taking a scarce police vehicle out of commission for that time, only to be found to have been lying. He had not swallowed drugs at all.

In all such cases, especially when they involve wasting the time of police and medical staff, a prison sentence should be routine, from a week or two to several months, depending on the severity of the crime.

The police involved in the documentaries complain that such treatment of them by offenders is becoming more frequent and more extreme.

If our courts do not treat such behaviour much more seriously and punish accordingly, one shudders to think to what extremes offenders will go in the future against both the police and the public the former are doing their best to protect,

George K McMillan

Mount Tabor Avenue

Perth