Dear Sir,

I read the local newspapers online almost every day. As with everyone, I have been shocked by not only the crime rate, murders, and now problems within your own police department and legal systems.

I was angry and saddened when I read the story of Officer Paul Dewing and his friend being charged with assault. It should be an embarrassment to your police department for not renewing his contract. It appears they have turned their back on him. With over 15 years of service, both in the UK and the Cayman Islands, he is a very experienced officer and should of been rehired.

I have heard the morale within the police department is very low; maybe not having job security if you should become hurt might have something to do with this. When Officer Dewing’s accident happened, which we all would like to think could never happen to us, his whole world changed. With a broken arm, leg and head injury, he spent months in recovery. Law enforcement was his career. This accident took that away from him.

Your article failed to mention the dog collar he was holding in court that day belonged to his K-9 dog. These trained dogs also serve our community by locating drugs and helping to fight crime. If you are not an animal lover then you could never understand how much love this officer had for his dog, and how hard it is for him to be without his best friend.

So let’s sum this up. This man spent months in recovery, has lost his career, his income, and his dog. He is not employed at this time and having to deal that. His whole world was turned upside down that night. The person driving was not found guilty of anything. So what if he showed signs of emotions in court.

I am sure anyone of us would have, whether it be tears of disappointment or anger. The man deserves some understanding from the Cayman government and not be charged for showing human emotions.

I have seen more disturbance than this at the airport when people have been told their flight is canceled or late!! I have never heard of anyone being charged with assault for ‘almost hitting’ someone.

Either you did or you did not. Yes, I would react if someone grabbed my wrist too. If this constable felt this was an assault, then he or she had better get out of law enforcement. It is easy to see they would not be able to handle a real assault. This is such a petty issue and there is no way the court should take the time to hear such foolishness when more important things are happening on our islands, like real crime!!

Oh, one last thing; why after four months do you now file charges?

This man should be at least given back part of his life that was taken from him that night by renewing his contract and helping him put his life back together again; not making it harder.

I always thought the Cayman people were more compassionate and understanding; it is time to show it.

Trisha Houlihan