Police live down to billing

When I arrived in Spokane two years ago, I was told by various people, young and old, that the police here are not very nice to deal with. I didn’t believe them since as a child I was taught that “the policeman is your best friend” and many are.

However, within the last several weeks, I have read about a mentally challenged man being clubbed, tasered and hogtied wherein he died (threatened the policeman with a soda bottle?), a police detective suing the city for an enormous sum because of disputes about whether he threatened to burn down his wife’s house with her in it, and now a police sergeant placed on paid leave for DUI and possible hit-and-run charge. The sergeant makes $91,141 a year. I know many teachers and nurses with several degrees who don’t make that kind of money.

I have lived in several very large cities and have never seen anything like this. What gives?

Sally Cuevas

Spokane Valley