Bring in fresh officers

Shooting, beating, hogtying, intoxication, kicking and fleeing the scene. Some descriptions of actions associated with officers of the Spokane Police Department gracing the news. All acquitted or vindicated with a slap on the wrist, all retaining their jobs and salaries, all in violation of the code of conduct that we expect from law enforcement. With the assistance of creative legal maneuvering and misrepresentation to victims, they have escaped the consequences many of their arrested prey have failed to do.

With the most recent incident of the officer making in excess of $91,000 a year, it’s astonishing that Mayor Mary Verner and group don’t capitalize by removing these high-paid scofflaws to rein in the $7 million revenue shortfall and hire energetic, younger officers at lower salaries. For fear of a wrongful termination lawsuit?

Spokane deserves better advocates of the citizenry and a top cop that doesn’t kowtow to pressures from the groups and attorneys behind these officers. The message being sent to the remaining troops will surely perpetuate similar behavior resulting in an outraged and unforgiving public sentiment. Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see past this thin blue line!

Peter Ward

Spirit Lake