EDITOR – I refer to a letter to the editor printed in the Highway Mail from Rick Crouch, DA councillor for Ward 10.
The so-called ‘recent’ police shooting he refers to took place 11 months ago. I am thinking it is that of W/O Norman John, who died after a witness overpowered him and took his firearm, shooting the police member in the chest. The ‘suspect’ was not a suspect but a passenger in a car whose driver was arrested for drunken driving.
He was not searched; as far as I know as he was not a suspect. W/O John was busy interviewing another suspect involved in a completely different case.
A fight broke out between the passenger and John’s suspect in an office at the police station. It is believed that John tried to break the two up when he was relieved of his firearm and shot.
Rick Crouch’s comments are typical of many Democratic Alliance politicians trying to score points in an ongoing battle with the ruling party.
Norman, like many of us, served his community, not the ANC. Crouch’s comments show that he feels it is acceptable for policemen and women to be killed, like it is a part of the job. W/O John was one of the best policemen I have ever known and had the privilege to work with, he was a friend of mine and a man I respected as a friend and a policeman.
Many police members, myself included, find it very distasteful and disrespectful that Rick Crouch chose this example of such a hero to bad-mouth and put down the police.
Next time you pick up a pen or laptop, first get your facts straight.
W/O David Paul Bramley
Durban Flying Squad
