Many cops at breaking point

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I read the July 29, 2018, Sunday Gleaner column by Glenn Tucker titled 'Cops in the line of (mental) fire' and broke down in tears.

My spouse has been a member of the police force for 16 years, and we have been together for eight. I get up in fear so many times as he is not violent but feels less of a man when he can't provide for his family.

We applied for a house loan, and I am a nervous wreck awaiting the process at the National Housing Trust as it's your salary that determines whether you get a house or not. Something really needs to be done about the salaries of our officers.

I really would not want to fall victim to a murder-suicide as I, too, have caught my spouse crying when he is extremely stressed, having just left a murder or accident scene where an entire family lost their lives.

Spouses of these men are faced with the emotions, and I personally know we don't live above our means. The salary is so bad for these officers. I work in a call centre as a supervisor earning $2.86 million per annum. I sit in air conditioning at my desk, coach, and train agents with no stress. Policemen and women work long ours, in sun and rain, and collect peanuts at the end of the month. They need help!

I'm tired of another one making headline news. While I see no signs of a mental breakdown, I am a nervous wreck every day as the pressures of life could cause these officers to snap at any time.

M.O.