Featured Feedback: For ‘em or against ‘em?
Corruption calls for change
I am writing in response to your excellent articles on July 14 concerning the Otto Zehm affair.
A police officer who files false official reports (about a bottle of soda) does more than pervert justice and give the police department and our city a black eye. He or she is no longer useful in law enforcement. A perfect defense, even against a ticket for running a red light, would be to claim he is lying yet again.
A chief is supposed to work for the people of Spokane, control the department, maintain high professional standards and discipline rogue officers. A chief who, instead, fails to investigate serious incidents and repeatedly covers up for lying police officers displays a level of corruption that we expect only in Third World countries.
I am also worried for my own personal safety. Imagine a veteran cop explaining to a rookie that it’s OK to Taser people to watch them writhe in pain – just make sure there is a plastic soda bottle nearby that you perceived as a threat.
This is just one more in a string of reports of inappropriate police behavior. We desperately need some changes.
Richard Smith
Spokane
Arrogance is insulting
In reference to Saturday’s article “Chief backs use of force,” I would like to correct Chief Jim Nicks in his remark that “The only thing that matters is what was in Karl Thompson’s mind at the moment.”
I would submit that what really matters is what is in the minds of 12 jurors after reviewing the facts in a court of law. That might be a shocking thought for the chief that 12 “untrained,” “unqualified,” and implicitly ignorant and unwashed citizens should ultimately sit in judgment of police officers.
It is these very citizens that our mayor and chief have sworn to serve, yet arrogantly feel are so simple-minded that they need to be walked verbally through a silent video showing the assault and killing of Mr. Zehm. All the lying, spin and cover-up in the world can’t change the fact that an innocent and terrified man of special circumstances was brutally attacked and killed. To slander Mr. Zehm by suggesting that he played a role in his own death is unconscionable and frightening.
We support the Zehm family in their quest for justice and offer our prayers for their consolation.
Ted and Denise Cummings
Chattaroy
Cops deserve our support
For all of you people who automatically believe everything that the news media reports, including radio, TV and the infamous Spokesman-Review, along with Mr. Fuhrman, I would encourage you to put yourselves in their place.
They have to make their decisions before they know all of the facts. All of the other citizens get to make their determinations after they know the whole story. It is very easy to make a decision after all of the evidence is in.
I think the people of uniform do an outstanding job for the public. Good luck, officers, and thank you!
Lloyd R. Bourne
Sprague
Walk in their shoes first
The headline of Friday’s story, “Police admit inaccurate account of fatal beating,” was so large. Why is that – does The Spokesman have a personal vendetta against Acting Police Chief Jim Nicks, or is it just that the National Inquirer tactics are a way to lure customers to get the paper?
Headlines of this large print on the front of paper are reserved for national stories such as a war. Yes – it is an important story and a real tragedy that Mr. Zehm died, but it appears you are in a personal struggle to prove the chief wrong and then gloat about it in a tabloidish manner. Both Sunday’s editorial (“Credibility zapped”) and Doug Clark’s article (“Acting chief failed to act responsibly”) prove that.
To understand and appreciate the world in which our police officers work in the nighttime, I suggest you spend some time in their shoes before you are so quick to judge. Sensationalizing this story is a tragedy!
I believe the officers and chief deserve support. They are working hard every day to help make this a safe community. Yes, grave mistakes were made, but until you walk a mile in their shoes, it may be difficult to be a fair judge.
Philip Eager
Spokane