Off-Duty Police

* I would like to comment on the article about Carol A. Watson filing suit against officers carrying guns off-duty (Aug. 11). When a policeman or deputy is sworn in, he/she promises to uphold the law, to protect and to serve at all times. In essence, we citizens are asking them to be our protectors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For this we pay them for a 40-hour week and tell them to be happy with that. When police officers are “off-duty,” they are obligated to step in when a crime occurs in their proximity. I absolutely cannot believe that any rational person would consider requiring somebody to put his life in jeopardy, yet take away his means of defense.

Co-litigant John Fyfe claims that 20% of all police shootings in New York were by off-duty officers, but he did not tell us how many were in response to crime.

I admit there have been some cases where intoxicated officers have shot off their guns inappropriately, and they should be punished accordingly. But I have heard of far more cases in which officers have used their guns to save lives and foil crimes, and even have given up their lives to protect us, all while “off-duty.” It is time that we citizens stop bashing our police, and give them the respect that they deserve for doing what has to be one of the toughest jobs in America these days.

DAVID BUNJAC

Culver City