A most laudable offer of $1m will be paid to families of officers in the protective services who lose their lives in the war being waged against the criminal elements. This money is not enough for a human life. It is not enough if the families cannot be guaranteed instant payment. If they have to wait ten years for the government to pay out the money, by the time they get it, the million dollars will be reduced to a fraction of its worth. Is there sufficient money left in the Treasury to effect immediate payments?
Let us split hairs a bit further. What if instead of dying you are badly wounded and incapacitated for the rest of your life? What will be the size of the disability grant? In the run-up to the general elections of 2015, talk is cheaper than ever.The offer, per life, per officer should be at the minimum, $10m to allow for inflation and the exchange rate in the global markets. After the military funeral and the gun salute, life has to go on.
Lynette Joseph
Via e-mail