Rethink SPD training

I am outraged that our sheriff would authorize funds for police officers and deputies to attend a seminar on how to kill and how to die. What a mindset to approach any community demonstration or conflict.

This week, I watched a feature on PBS NewsHour focusing on the police force of Montgomery, Alabama. The key component of Montgomery PD training is a segment on Black history. Not Black history through the filter of white scholars, but the real, graphic history of Black people. The sheriff who developed this course found that by giving all police officers a common understanding of citizens they honor, protect and serve, situations are dealt with in an appropriate manner and there are fewer confrontational situations.

Perhaps our sheriff should attend the class in Montgomery and change his focus for us and our city.

Joanne Martin

Medical Lake