THE POLICE PROBE

There have been numerous articles lately about Police Chief Bill Kolender’s indiscriminate dismissal of parking violations as well as allegations regarding the purchase of handguns for friends. Though I am in no way condoning Mr. Kolender’s actions, I hope the public keeps these indiscretions in a proper context. There are hundreds of police working in San Diego and around the county who work hard supporting their families and who never get accused of any wrongdoing.

I guess I’m afraid that the image of all police officers gets tarnished when one individual is accused of some wrongdoing. Considering the tremendous risks and stresses involved in their jobs, I don’t think it’s fair to brand all police as corrupt. How many of us could continue in a job being treated in a hostile manner by drunks and drug addicts and even ordinary citizens getting tickets?

I imagine it must be very difficult to deal with a certain element of our society and still have hope for their own families and children.

We do have to expose corruption and indiscretions within our Police Department as we do other government agencies. I would hope that the public would realize when being exposed to these stories that the majority of police are hard-working and honest.

LOIS HUMPHREYS

Carlsbad