ARFEE: Admission should end story

Like many other citizens of Coeur d’Alene, I think the Arfee coverage and reaction has been excessive. While the situation was tragic for Arfee and his family, it is not worthy of the coverage of opinions of our citizens.

The police department has admitted that Officer Kelley did not act appropriately in this instance. I think it should end there. Officer Kelley deserves the same consideration that you would want if you made a mistake in your job. Just because he is a public servant does not eliminate any rights he has as far as privacy is concerned. It is bad enough that his name is blasted all over the paper. Privacy laws in personnel matters are there for a reason. I am sure that Chief White and the union will ensure that Officer Kelley is treated fairly both for him and the citizens of Coeur d’Alene.

The daily work lives of police officers have become more dangerous than they were several years ago. Practically every day a police officer is either injured or killed. Making a simple traffic stop can turn dangerous quickly. I think we should be thankful there are men and women who want to be police officers willing to protect us.

We, as citizens, should not carry a vendetta as has happened in this case. Let’s give Chief White a chance and time to prove he is the right man for the job without us deciding what he should and should not do. He has all the facts. We don’t.

SALLY KUCHIK

Coeur d’Alene