SHOOTINGS: Respect goes both ways

Regarding recent police shootings and behavior. I agree with several retired police officers, who wrote in about too much activity for such a small town. These events are red flags that signal something is wrong with how they choose officer candidates and/or the training/protocols.

The man on the freeway who was shot, should never have shot at police, but really, 40 shots — unreal they didn’t kill him. Or, calling a man out and then shooting him five times. Is it a “protocol” to shoot to kill?

I recently had a friend whose roommate accidentally took too many anti-anxiety pills. She called for an ambulance, the police arrived, held the ambulance up while they searched the house.

The police in Coeur d’Alene appear to be running scared. Every event is a life and death situation. The video at the gas station with the two young men shows their attitude toward young people in this town.

There are some very good, responsible officers, but some are on a power-trip, rude and disrespectful to the public in general. These officers make very important judgment calls when they arrest someone and charge them.

It requires good judgment and maturity; one cannot teach good judgment. Just because the police department has had the protocols and attitudes forever doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be reviewed and fine-tuned. I respect police officers, but I expect the same in return.

DAPHNE GOODSON

Coeur d’Alene