Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake needs to get a clue when it comes to police officers who are accused of improper acts ("Rawlings-Blake, Batts say police will work on relations with community," Jan. 1). When did she forget about rights of the accused and police officers having those rights? Why are police officers treated differently from other government employees when it comes to being put on paid leave while the case is being reviewed?
Lois Lerner, an IRS employee, comes to mind when she was put on paid leave while Congress investigated her alleged involvement in targeting certain groups.
When the police are on the streets making an arrest and the public wants throw rocks and bottles at the police, does anyone think the police are going to say to those being arrested, would you please stop resisting so we don't get hit in the head with a bottle? Absolutely not. They are going to use a force significant to apprehend, and if the accused gets hurt in the process? Oh, well.
The real problem is the liberal press that wants to print what is wrong with the police and never reports on those who constantly stick their nose into incidents that don't affect them, causing the police to act in a stronger use of force. These people are the same people who will call the police to break up a fight, call when their spouse comes home drunk or pulls a gun on them and want the police to do something about it.
Give the police the same respect that former Mayor Sheila Dixon received when she was accused and remained mayor throughout the process while still collecting a paycheck.
J. Michael Collins, Reisterstown