Editorial: No place for threats to police

A police officer never knows when he or she will be put in a life-threatening situation, but most of them accept it as part of the job. They do the job because they are committed to protecting and serving their community. But while they may have signed up for a dangerous occupation, their families have not and should be protected at all costs.

On today's front page we have a story about a Dannevirke man who has been jailed for nine months after he told a police officer he knew where his children went to school and that he would "skin them alive".

This all happened after Namana Tehiko Bell was pulled over by the police officer, but refused to supply his driver's licence. He was arrested after he became aggressive and was pepper-sprayed. Back at the station, he made his threats against the constable's family. Yesterday he was singing a different tune with his lawyer saying that he had no intention of carrying out his threats and was merely in pain from the pepper spray.

Bell was also sentenced for disorderly behaviour, obstruction and charges of possession of an offensive weapon and threatening to kill a rival gang member.

So basically he got what he deserved.

As far as I am concerned Bell is lucky he only got nine months in jail. His behaviour, whether intended or not, was totally unacceptable. He threatened a police officer and worse still put his children at risk. They had nothing to do with it and he had no right threatening to kill innocent children.

What makes it worse is that this low life has a 12-year-old daughter. I hope the girl lives with her mother and that she is of better character than her father, else that young girl has no chance.

Bell probably does not realise the unnecessary stress and anxiety he has caused the family of the police officer.

At least the Judge Tony Adeane told him his fortune, saying threats like that would not be tolerated. He said the court had a duty to stand behind anyone in law enforcement who had been threatened.

This is good, because our police officers need to know that they can do their jobs without worrying about the repercussions for them and their families.

There should be zero tolerance for people who threaten police officers or their families. Maybe next time Bell and others like him will think before they threaten innocent children.