Readers React: Another weapon for police: ‘I feared for my life’

To the editor: Along with the blue uniforms, weapons and badges, the police have other weapons that they use frequently: the statement “We feared for our lives” and believing that a suspect was reaching for a gun. (“Video of Gardena shooting a rare view into police tactics under stress,” July 15)

In the article about the footage of Gardena police shooting and killing an unarmed man, Charles “Sid” Heal, president of the California Assn. of Tactical Officers, insults the public’s intelligence when he suggests that it has developed an “unrealistic frame of reference of police work” by watching TV shows portraying law enforcement.

A person who has never seen a reality show, “Law & Order” or “Dragnet” can clearly see that down through the years, police have unlawfully killed citizens and have been let off. There are many ways to reap the whirlwind.

Arthur P. Nelson Jr., North Hills

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To the editor: The video clearly shows the difference in restraint between the Gardena police and the Los Angeles Police Department officers who were involved in the recent standoff with a former judge.

The Gardena police were obviously in fear of their lives from an unarmed man, whereas the LAPD showed great discipline in not firing at a former judge who had shot at them. These incidents are evidence that law enforcement sees the color of someone’s skin before shooting.

Frank Gonzalez, Rosemead

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