WONDER WHAT THE QUEEN IS THINKING – AT 7:43 P.M. ET:  Let me start off by saying that female police officers do an incredible job and have enhanced the abilities of police forces everywhere, especially in detective work.  But I think this is a bit ridiculous:

MEMBERS of Scotland Yard's elite bodyguard unit are being armed with smaller, lighter "baby" guns as part of a drive to attract more female officers.

The move is aimed at recruiting bodyguards with smaller hands. However, critics fear it could hamper the close protection officers who guard the Queen, the Prime Minister and other VIPs if they have to fend off an attack.

"It's a disadvantage because the smaller guns have less firepower and are less accurate," said a police firearms expert.

Supporters deny the Yard is putting political correctness before security by trying to recruit women.

They say the change is part of a legitimate attempt by the Metropolitan police chiefs to reflect the community better.

Others believe the move underlines the explosion of a "diversity agenda" that began in the 1990s and was led by a new breed of police chiefs who thought the traditional force was too male-dominated.

COMMENT:  Did anyone ask the queen about this?  Criminals today have easy access to body armor, and those tiny guns are just not effective.  I see women at a local gun range, and they're handling the same weapons that men handle, without complaint.  I think this is a made-up problem.

June 13, 2010