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Police should share costs

As the Karl Thompson Jr. saga winds down (hopefully) and the city is negotiating with the Police Guild on the next contract, I have a suggestion: Perhaps the city can insist that the police union be responsible for at least 50 percent of all legal fees to defend their members. Also, be responsible for at least 50 percent of all court-ordered settlements resulting from actions by its members.

A recent report said the current Thompson legal team had already submitted charges for over $500,000 and with all of the appeals the bill may approach $1 million. Why is the city responsible and the police union not?

I have a nagging fear that the Democrat-controlled Legislature has probably passed legislation to protect their public employee union buddies from any such responsibility. If the people keep electing representatives that are supported by (and probably controlled by) the public employee unions, we cannot but expect more of the same.

Ronald Garrett

Spokane

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