Readers React: Cleveland cops’ shameful silence

To the editor: The head of the police union in Cleveland is absolutely right that police officers do not have to give up their constitutional right against self-incrimination and do not have to talk to the prosecutor or to appear in court to testify about an officer’s shooting of two people. (“Cleveland officers’ silence frustrates prosecutor in police trial,” May 17)

However, they do not have a constitutional right to employment as police officers. Failure to cooperate with prosecutors or to testify in a criminal case should result in their termination.

Cleveland’s chief of police should fire these officers.

Joseph Gunn, Burbank

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To the editor: A police union thinks its members have the right not to testify in a trial in which they are not in jeopardy of being prosecuted, and the police chief says he can do nothing about it?

This is yet one more example among many of the need for reform. Police unions represent the core of the problem and never the solution. They need to be reined in big time.

As for the chief who can do nothing to require officers to do their sworn duty, he should be replaced — now.

Stephen Downing, Long Beach

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