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Editor, Naples Daily News:

Concerning the recent shooting of a suspected drug dealer by the Collier
County Sheriff's SWAT team:

While I commend the sheriff's efforts to get crack off the streets, I
question the judgment of using firearms during the serving of a warrant.
Was it necessary? The reasoning was vague.

Sheriff Don Hunter's statement, standing behind his officer, is
understandable. But, was the shooting necessary?

The SWAT team consists of trained men who are in perfect physical
condition. Most of them spend their free time weightlifting. Serving a
warrant takes at least 10 officers, so why would it be necessary to shoot a
suspect who didn't comply with a command? Shouldn't they use other force
before resorting to firearms?

Your article stated a man and a woman were in the apartment. Shouldn't
deputies have restrained him before shooting him?

This is not the first such incident. I refer to the man on Fifth Avenue
South who was shot three times in the back, as well as the man in River
Reach who was shot and killed.

While I realize a policeman's job is a dangerous one where force is
necessary at times, it appears to the untrained eye that firearms are used
before using force to restrain a suspect.

Maybe it's time for retraining. I was under the assumption guns are used
only when necessary. While I respect anyone who chooses to protect and
serve the public, I feel excessive, unnecessary firing of weapons should be
investigated further.

Sandra Camara / Naples