Force used to excess

Thank you for entering the fray with regard the toothless police oversight in our city. The “one-sided” stories on Monday night moved me to go down and offer my testimony as well.

Those stories are but the sharp tip of the iceberg of police actions in this city that make our “community of other” fear for their lives. With over 30 years volunteer time I have heard hundreds of credible stories from people about “overpolicing.”

Horrific stories from the clients at Shalom, the House of Charity and Odyssey Youth Center are replete.

Testimony (at the City Council meeting) Monday night was telling and true. The best solution is to have a competent prosecutor who will press charges for abuse and overuse of force. Those charges will best be brought forth by an independent ombudsman.

When the “rogue” police are put in jail for breaking the law, the culture of overuse of force will change.

The “body” of this iceberg below the surface goes very deep, and it would be good to melt it and make it go away.

Changing prosecutors would be a better and bigger step in that direction.

Please help by supporting Frank Malone for county prosecutor.

John A. Olsen

Spokane