Police need ability to protect themselves

Maybe I'm missing something, but aren't the police charged with enforcing the law, regardless of the age, gender or nationality of the suspect? When you are a police person, you regularly have to deal with those who are breaking the law. If you are to survive, you have to make sure that you have sufficient force to overpower any person that you stop.

I teach driver safety for AARP, and I always mention that if you are ever stopped by the police, you keep your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them and don't do anything until the he tells you or you may get shot! If you are in a dangerous location and you suspect this might be a hoax, you are allowed to turn on your flashers and drive slowly to a safe location like a police or fire station or gas station where there are cameras. Never argue with the police. Do what they say. You can argue your case later in court. Would it have made any difference in Ferguson if the policeman were black or a woman? You say he should have just shot him in the leg. When I was in the service, I was a marksman with a rifle at 1,000 yards. With a pistol I couldn't even hit a man sized target at 30 feet.

Our servicemen are protecting us overseas, but the local police force are protecting us at home and are just as likely to get shot at. How about a little support for our local crime fighters? Do we want the police to let the suspect get away if they think that he committed only a minor crime? How can he tell? Do we want the police to enforce the law? I do.

Adelore Petrie

Arlington Heights