ARFEE: So, who's truly sorry?

The Press has printed numerous letters regarding the shooting of Arfee the dog at the Java on Sherman coffee shop, including one previously from myself.

At this point in the lengthy shooting investigation I’m saddened, but not surprised with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and the local city government. Not once have I read an article quoting somebody, anybody who is willing to take responsibility for any of this.

We have a “vigilant neighbor” and the coffee shop owner, in their “if you see something, say something mode” so they called the police over a suspicious van. Dave Patterson, Java’s owner, could have paged the patrons of his coffee shop, to see if the van’s owner was there, but didn’t.

We have the over-anxious police officer, Dave Kelley, who did the shooting and it has since been determined that he acted with an “unreasonable use of force” and was “out of department policy,” all while his partner was in the line of his fire on the opposite side of the vehicle.

The owner of the building and landlord where Java on Sherman is located wanted the scene cleared as soon as possible. The police cover up and mis-reporting of the details in this shooting is outrageous. The cold and callous note left on the windshield of the van for Arfee’s owner to call the police regarding his dog, is pathetic.

We have the city attorney, Mike Gridley hiding behind the “it’s a personnel matter” skirt, and “Idaho State Statute 9-340-C exempts us from disclosing any of the details of Officer Kelley’s continued employment in a ‘modified duty’ capacity” rhetoric.

I have also read in this paper that Officer Kelley feels horrible over this incident, however he has the right to appeal the decision against him. Other details of Officer Kelley’s employment duties could be released with his personal consent, but he hasn’t.

I’m waiting for ANY of the people involved to take responsibility for their actions. From what I have read the apologies have been fairly boilerplate and generic. “We are deeply saddened over this tragic event,” blah, blah. Other folks involved just want to distance themselves as far as possible in hopes the public will have a short memory.

If the city wants to restore confidence between the citizens and the police department, we need real transparency. Invoking the legal reasons for not being open and forthcoming only make matters worse. Have we all lost our moral compass? If he feels so upset, Officer Kelly COULD do the right thing and resign, then change professions. The city and the police department COULD release more information, but because they don’t have to, they won’t.

A hearty welcome to our new Chief of Police. I’m feeling warm and fuzzy already.

RICK CASEMORE

French Gulch