I READ with concern about the resignation of Deputy Police Commissioner Tim Williams.

I READ with concern about the resignation of Deputy Police Commissioner Tim Williams.

Police Commissioner Bheki Cele's spokesperson. Nonkululeko Mbatha, said she did not know why Williams had resigned, (Sowetan September 16).

Williams tendered his resignation on September 15 at the National Press Club in Pretoria but the story was not on any of the SABC's radio and television news channels.

Williams' resignation coincided with the police top brass' media conference at which sables were rattled.

It could be that Williams does not think sabre-rattling is a substitute for good policing.

Or he is unhappy about being passed over for promotion to become the subordinate of former deputy national police commissioner Cosmas Desmond.

For the record, I am against crime. South African society in general aids and abets the commission of crime. The fight against crime requires a complete paradigm shift.

If the police cannot, through normal intelligence gathering and community involvement, pre-empt t crime - that is be proactive - the "shoot to kill" policy is reactive.

There are going to be many unintended victims of this sanguinary policy. Others, of course, will be intended victims. In fact, policies such as "shoot to kill" are not meant for criminals only. They are meant for political rivals as well.

Moreover, in recent months we have witnessed judicial interference. There is also going to be an amendment of the law to give police officers the right to kill.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe is already surrendering judicial power. It will therefore be difficult to check executive usurpation.

Sam Ditshego, Kagiso