Clark vilifies police

Thu., Aug. 18, 2016

Doug Clark’s Aug. 4 column, “Mayor’s police chief choice reeks, dishonors Otto Zehm,” is filled with contempt and vilifies law enforcement. Bringing up the Otto Zehm case may sell newspapers, but it is counterproductive in the mayor’s selection of a police chief are paramilitary.

Many officers are military veterans and when one of their own is prosecuted, fired and going to prison for performing his job, the emotion of his fellow officers is understandable. It is easy to judge after the fact, but unless you have been there and know the heart-beating uncertainty of many situations in day-to-day policing, you should not rush to judgment.

The mayor’s choice to promote from within the department makes perfect sense. Doug Clark refers to Spokane as his “hometown” in his inflammatory article. Me thinks he and the City Council should move to Baltimore.

Howard Roach

Spokane

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