Give deputies second chance

In response to Peter Ice’s July 11 letter; I’m sure that Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich deserves kudos for many things but he, like the officers who work for him, is not immune to making mistakes. Therefore, we have arbitrators. The fact that Knezovich cannot seem to accept the ruling of arbitration is very troubling.

I happen to know one of those so-called problem officers. There is more to the story and we the public aren’t privy to it all. Cleaning house isn’t always just. Anyone out there lost a job because of something not related to your ability? Too bad we all don’t have arbitration to fall back on.

Knezovich’s time could be better spent working with those officers as a mentor rather than a boss with a vendetta. People make mistakes and can actually learn from them and become better for it. Isn’t that what we teach our kids?

Yes, there are people who should be fired, but I believe we owe it to the taxpayers who have invested in training these fine officers, and to the officers whose lives would be greatly impacted, to give them a second chance when arbitration has ruled a firing inappropriate.

Kim Hopkins

Spokane