Media vs. the police

The July 15 editorial, “Police Guild steps farther away from public trust” is another attempt by the S-R editorial board to annihilate the police department. Between Gary Crooks, Doug Clark and Shawn Vestal, the police do not stand a chance.

You constantly bring up two cases, one of which has been cleared by a jury and one that the prosecutor has refused to prosecute and now the officer faces charges by an aggressive federal prosecutor who if he ever brings it to trial will also lose. Because he has no case.

I think it is time to put Vestal’s and Clark’s columns on the editorial pages and not put them on as front page news, especially Clark’s.

I believe the police do an outstanding job of disciplining police officers when it is needed. I see no reason to second-guess an officer in the line of duty by an independent investigator. A huge percentage of all claims against the police are not valid. Are some complaints valid? Yes, and they are investigated and the officer disciplined when needed.

Ninety percent of the mistrust by the public is due to the media and a very vocal minority.

Wayne Lythgoe

Colbert