Thanks from a runnerJanuary 29, 2011Dear Sir,I'm home now again after a third year in Bermuda for the International Race Weekend. Once again, the people of Bermuda have shown to be warm and wonderful hosts, and the Bermuda Track & Field Association an organisation that is up to the task of “running” an international-oriented race and, at the same time, also encouraging local youth to embrace its sport.While I realise the place of tourism as a source of Island income, the friendliness I saw went well beyond economics. The frequent “hellos” from people in general were too numerous to note, not to mention the “Run well's” once it was realised we were running during the weekend. During the races so many spectators also went the extra step to yell out their encouragement including your name. In each of my training runs on the narrow roads, I appreciated the courtesy of the drivers making an intimidating situation more comfortable.The running community almost to a person was cooperative and outgoing. Thanks to Scott Neil for introducing me to so many of you. To Chris Estwanik for demonstrating that a competitive champion can also be a warm individual. To Edwin Armstrong, Chris Page and Omari Hart, the three “Bermuda Horsemen” who took me along with them for over five miles on an excellent pace in the half-marathon allowing me to run a new course best time, thanks!I look forward to returning again, and I did feel the love. Thank you once again, Bermuda.RAY LEONEBlaine, WashingtonAn attitude issueThis letter was not published when it was first sent to The Royal Gazette because of an ongoing prosecution in Magistrates' Court. That prosecution is now concluded.October 16, 2010Dear Sir,When I saw the article on October 5 stating that no charges were being brought against the police officers who allegedly contorted and mangled Mr Troy Smith's face, the first thing that came to mind was: “And they wonder why no one is helping them find guns?”This incident, sufficient evidence or not, did not involve a gun. There was a witness who stated that one of the officers was kicking Mr Smith in the head while he was handcuffed and lying on the ground. That witness' statement seemed to explain the broken nose, two broken cheek bones, broken optical bone and the sprained jaw that he suffered on July 4, 2010. Not to mention they also used pepper spray and a Taser gun on him.Did you really need to watch the Taser DVD to figure this out? Are we living in a police state now, where the DPP can have a blatantly obvious case of brutality brought to them and the ‘blue wall' protects the constables anyway? Can you say; ‘The emperor has no clothes!'The community has to trust you with their safety to share information. Trigger-happy cops do not make us feel safe.My husband and I were pulled over at a random check point directly outside the Southside Police Station a few weeks ago. The officer that stopped us came back to our car and said that my husband had an open warrant from 2009 and we knew for sure that the traffic fine had been paid.The officer then wanted to handcuff my husband to take him to the police station, which was within walking distance. My husband got vocal, and refused to be cuffed just to walk across the street. He said he was cooperating and this was all a mix-up anyway, we had a receipt. The officer called for backup and pulled out his Taser at this point. What for? Because it was new and he wanted to practise? Because the blue uniform shirt has an ‘S' on it and gives him super powers?If I hadn't jumped in front of my husband to distract the officer I am positive he would have been Tasered over a $100 traffic fine that he had already paid! I was talked down to, outright called an idiot to my face by a police officer, just for standing up for myself and my husband. Had I spoken to him in that manner it would have been considered verbal assault!Too often, police officers go on power trips to ordinary, everyday citizens and show them no form of respect, as if we are all criminals that they simply haven't caught yet. Help me understand why I should put my life and my family's safety in jeopardy for a system that couldn't care less about me as a person. The DPP isn't going to send officers to sit outside of my house and patrol the area after I prick on somebody.In fact it seems that in their minds, if you know something you are most likely guilty of something yourself. Why put ourselves out there for no thanks whatsoever? Because you made a statement to the press and asked nicely? That simply isn't enough!Police officers need to learn empathy and people skills before they are let loose on society. Plus, before people trust them they need to learn how to interact with people, sans the ego trip! How many of them have actually taken criminology and psychology courses? Maybe, if they knew how a criminal thought and acted, they could tell the difference when interacting with everyday people! But I don't know for sure, it's just a thought.JOE PUBLICCity of Hamilton