FAMILIES KNOW THE RISK POLICE TAKE

Dear Editor;

I would like to respond the answers in the Perspective Question regarding
the four fallen RCMP officers.

I truly know now how ignorant some people in this town can be. How can you
possibly say that you didn't know how dangerous their job is or that they
made a mistake? These men and women risk their lives every day to protect us.

Do you think they carry a gun and taser for looks? Or that their shotgun
and pepper spray is to intimidate people? These are not toys or props. This
equipment is to protect them and others in tough situations. They have to
go through extensive mental and physical tests before they can even go to
Depot to be trained. They train every day for six months to become a
full-fledged member.

My dad is a RCMP officer. Our family worries whenever he puts on that
uniform. Is he going to come home safe and alive, or is he going to get
poked by a needle and get a serious disease? Are we going to be wakened at
2:30 a.m. by a knock on the door with some bad news? What would we do if he
died in the line of duty?

The fallen members did not make a mistake by going out to that farm. They
are highly trained and their life depends on the decisions they make.

These brave men were trying to close down a chop shop and a dope operation.
How is this a mistake? Are you saying they should have ignored the grow
operation? Or deal with it another day?

My dad has been poked with dirty needles, spit and puked on. The results of
these incidences have been mono and possibility the chance of having HIV,
Aids and Hep C. This stuff doesn't go away. Families have to deal with the
results every day. Do you know how awful it feels when your dad might have
an evil disease that can't be cured? We were lucky, all the results came
back negative, but that doesn't mean that next time he won't be so lucky.

Maybe you should think before you say something like you didn't know how
dangerous their job is. What in the hell were you thinking? Their job is
not easy, and for that, they should be respected. They don't have any room
to make mistakes. People's lives are in their hands, along with their own.

If we had a three strikes, you're out policy, this might not have happened.
James Roszko might have been behind bars because he had a rap sheet a mile
long. We might have to rethink the justice system so this doesn't happen again.

I am proud to say my name is Melanie Mose and Const. Ian Mose is my father
and he is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Melanie Mose

Stettler