Volunteer treated shabbily

I am appalled that Mayor David Condon and the city of Spokane have chosen to publically chastise, and demand the resignation of, committed volunteer members of the police oversight panel, based on an investigation of the panel’s record keeping and administrative practices.

In particular, the allegations lodged against Kevin Berkompas are unfounded and just plain wrong. As a dedicated member of our armed forces, achieving the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Kevin’s integrity is beyond reproach. After leaving the military, he chose to relocate to Spokane to finish raising his family here and to start his post-military career. He immediately became active in our community and sought out ways he could offer his talents to support community initiatives.

Is this is how our city thanks a highly professional, dedicated member of our community? As a new volunteer, Kevin devoted his personal time and effort to make a difference for all of us. As Kevin so well put it, “People have gone out of their way to mischaracterize my interactions with them and denigrate my character.”

This matter could have been dealt with in a much more professional manner. Shame on the city of Spokane.

John Driscoll

Spokane