WHAT is the price of precious life? Recently, a policewoman was gunned down. There were cries for hanging to be brought back for "cop killers".

Why only for cop killers? Are the public of a lower caste? What next, politicians and royalty? It could go a step further: it could even be a film or pop star or a well-known sportsperson (you can't trust stalkers).

There just cannot be a price put on any one person.

I am not saying that the police don't do a good job, but every policeman and woman volunteered to do that job knowing the dangers, just like soldiers. It is called "part of the job", though the expectancy of being shot is very low.

Much of the trouble is leniency in the courts and remissions on sentences. Killers go to prison with sentences ranging from 20-40 years. Several years of good behaviour and most are out much earlier. All too often, such killers get a lot of good help in being reintroduced into society and they know it.

Therefore there should be very long sentences (such as throwing away the key and forgetting them until they die) or bring back the death penalty as the utmost deterrent.

If the death penalty for all killings was brought back a lot of these potential murderers would think twice as their time would be up when caught. Whereas if hanging for "cop killers" only was in force, they would most likely funnel all their aggression on the poor public knowing they'd be out sooner rather than later.

Kevin Horner,

Albemarle Road,

York.

Updated: 09:23 Thursday, December 01, 2005