D.A. Should Walk in Officer’s Shoes

* This letter is in response to the article concerning Oxnard Officer Robert Flinn (“Oxnard Officer Charged With Assault of a Burglary Suspect,” July 9).

First, let us all remember that Officer Flinn is innocent until proven guilty. Note the word “charged” not “convicted” in the headline. Better yet, how about using “victim,” as in victim of Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury’s political agenda. Why would the D.A.’s office spend five months investigating this incident versus a slaying, child molestation or rape case?

If it were possible, it would be great for Bradbury and Deputy D.A. Michael Frawley to suit up and work an evening shift in the La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard. Maybe they could show us how it is done. To be honest, I doubt they would make it to the end of the shift.

The police officers of today face a tough challenge when it comes to doing their job. People want criminals arrested, yet at the same time people want them to do it without incident. This is difficult, if not impossible, due to the increasing disregard of law enforcement by criminals. We see the deaths of CHP Officer Don Burt and Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Aguirre, who was a childhood friend of mine.

I do not condone excessive force, but keep in mind that your definition of excessive force--while sitting comfortably on your sofa or in your bed--is not so excessive to a police officer whose No. 1 goal is to go home alive after every shift.

BRIAN M. FOGATA

Ventura