WHITE: Good man, impossible position

I read Lee White’s profile (In Person, Sept. 21), sounds like a decent man. He says he is hoping the public trusts the department to do the right thing. Very hard to trust anyone when nothing is being said.

It’s a personnel matter and we can’t talk about it. What city, county or state code is he referring to? What is the statute for not discussing this?

I am not saying this is a cover up, but if the department is not accountable to anyone other than themselves, why would the public trust them?

Accidental discharges happen all the time in police work — I get that. Inexperienced officers making a mistake, no problem; part of the learning curve.

A sergeant and others come to the scene and leave a note on the car — I do not get that. This is a sergeant who is in charge of less experienced officers, who should have passed the learning curve a long time ago. Houston, we have a problem!

Who described the dog as a pit bull? I would like to know how that information was obtained.

I realize this is a small department, but are you telling me that department policy regarding a shooting is only required to have a sergeant on the scene, no lieutenant or captain?

You want public trust, start by saying, “Officers (no names need to be given) were disciplined by time off without pay. A new shooting policy is instituted.”

Your asking the public to trust the department when they refuse to tell its citizens anything! Trust is earned and is a two-way street and so far its only one way.

GEORGE SILVA

Coeur d’Alene