FIRED: Punishment beyond the 'crime'

Personally, I was appalled upon reading the article regarding the termination of a 15-year veteran of the Post Falls Police Department - a former "Officer of the Year" yet! The taser incident was an egregious impromptu act of compliance to a JOKE between friends. There was no harm done and none was intended. The officer and his friend were the only two people present at the time of the incident. Unfortunately, the "walls have ears" and somehow word of this indiscretion leaked out which resulted in the termination of a very fine officer.

While I do not condone officer Johnson's action, the obdurate punishment exceeds the offense and it's regrettable that Police Chief Haug could not or would not establish a more appropriate reprimand. I feel sad for Chief Haug, I feel sad for former officer Johnson, but especially, I feel very SAD for the individual who felt justified and the need to report a trifling event which resulted in the termination of a very fine officer. (I now understand the term "don't kill the messenger" - even if he deserves it!)

Very often there is a reporting of an officer-involved shooting or questionable situation which dictated he be put on administrative leave. This "taser" incident is insignificant in comparison, yet it required the dismissal of a dedicated officer? Am I missing something? I just don't understand.

HARLAND and

DIANNE RAMSEY

Rathdrum