It's a tough topic that evokes emotion and accusations. Maybe...

It's a tough topic that evokes emotion and accusations. Maybe it's time society decides once and for all what kind of a world do we want to live in - one where police brutality dominates or one where offenders are given a little more rope before apprehension?

The complete story has been the focus of the police officers deploying force on a topless man and his venture to steal biscuits; the story has ended with the conclusion that he was killed for a packet of biscuits. Others see it that he was being a public menace where his heart failed as a result of the 2 day illegal drug taking binge and the taser deployment (tasers don't kill under normal health conditions).

Did he die because he refused to pay for the biscuits or did the whole deal escalate into a tragedy because he appeared to be a threat to those in his vicinity and that he refused to cooperate?

There a lot of experts and critics out there, all with their own wonderful and warm suggestions for tackling small time offenders. The fact is, it's a brutal world out there and it's getting tougher for all concerned. Our population is rapidly growing and so are the demands on our law enforcers. Most of the time they get it right, but sometimes they get it wrong, just like any profession. However, them getting it wrong is not like a chef burning a steak or a teacher making a grammar error; for them, getting it wrong is often a life changing event in more ways than one. If the intent was wrong, then we must deal with the individuals. If the procedure is wrong, then we must change it to get it right.

Let's stop this loud-mouthing that this man died for the biscuits for a start - that is a silly, immature and cheap shot to take at those officers. The biscuits weren't the reason why the taser was deployed. Now if they weren't equipped with the taser, then the question must be asked - what would have been the method of choice to bring this man under control? Would any of you put your lives on the line and tackled a crazed individual with your bare hands? Or would that breach the health and safety laws that you all comfortably work under to prevent you from getting injured at work?

Why should anyone put their life on the line by making any kind of physical contact with a deranged individual that could inflict a lethal bite wound? Tasers are crude, but they are as much as protecting officers from dangers as much as apprehending the wild and unpredictable.