If you care about the events happening in Bahrain and you have not read Ryan Devereaux’s article in The Guardian, you should.

The former Philadelphia and Miami police chief is now the Al Khalifa family’s top hired gun has a mixed legacy--and that comment is being kind. His tactics used at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia in 2000 and later in Miami include a love affair with rubber bullets, Tasers, electronic shields and most tragically in Bahrain, tear gas. Bahrain’s police and military forces were already using all of the above and more before Timoney and the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police head John Yates. But with Timoney at the helm, the future for Bahrain’s flight for justice and equal opportunity will probably become nothing but more violent. As Devereaux explains as a counter to Timoney’s supporters:

The chief's critics, however, say Timoney's handling of protests and gatherings in each of the cities he's served in are wrought with examples of police abuse, illegal infiltration tactics, fear-mongering and a blatant disregard for freedom of expression.

Some argue that Timoney’s legacy in Miami changed the culture for the better within the city’s police department. I doubt, however, the Al Khalifa royal family hired Timoney to improve human rights and better treatment for Bahrain’s protesters who are fed up with the greed, corruption and nepotism that has marred their country. This corner of the Middle East deserves better: not a hired mercenary who will add to the people’s misery. Do not be surprised if the Bahrain protesters continue with more deaths--at least three people have died of tear gas attacks since Timoney cashed in on Bahrain’s turmoil.

The February 14 protests sadly continue on. The best updates are on Twitter.

Pictured: what was once the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, Bahrain.