Letter to the Editor

Police can take a little criticism

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Dear editor:

The following statement is my considered opinion and is intended to reflect my personal point of view:

A flurry of anti-police letters have appeared in the newspaper and this concerns me.

Mr. Heiman, I do agree with you in part. Some of our officers are indeed fine people. However, you wrote that Mr. Thirion's opinion was "inaccurate."

No opinion is accurate or inaccurate. An opinion is just that, a personal viewpoint not necessarily leading to a conclusion.

The police are grown adults, not little babies, and they should be able to accept to a little criticism.

At the age of 70, I have learned that criticism is a means to improvement.

These letters criticizing the police occurred for a reason.

Human nature being what it is, I think it is likely that some of the police act on grudges, personal agendas, even family feuds.

For example, let's say a police officer didn't like one of his classmates in high school. Of course you know what's going to happen: That person will be treated with some prejudice.

My hope is that our judges have the ability to smell a rat when people are before them on petty or suspicious charges.

News reports on Channel 7 have proven to me at least that some of our police officers do hurt and violate people. Or worse.

With that aside, I am aware that police have taken actions that seam like acts of mean-mindness. Such acts do not impress the public.

Also, much of the trouble here in Mountain Home is created drama and not actual crimes. The police need to know the difference.

In my opinion, all of the above discussions might be an explanation of many of the problems here. These words may also explain the bitterness of some of the people.

Go forth, Mountain Home Police, and do a better job. We do appreciate some of you after all.

Random acts of kindness and mercy really do go a long way. One can find that in the letter of the law but not in the law. Can you accept Rachel's Challenge?

For your sake, I hope so.

Emily Rose Wood