The feuding has begun between Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby and the Baltimore City Police Department. The issue regards the description of the knife in Freddie Gray's possession when police arrested him ("Officer requests to see knife as part of defense in Freddie Gray case," May 5).
Was it an illegal switchblade or was it a legal pocket knife? The BCPD flipped their description of the knife a few times in the police report. So much for its credibility. Now it is praying for a determination that it was indeed a switchblade. Why? Because that would make Mr. Gray's arrest legal.
But after all the quarreling and bickering subsides, Mr. Gray is still dead. And he still died under circumstances that call into question the officers' behavior.
The police are attempting to forge a new image of themselves among the people they serve. But with each gaffe they make, they are further alienating city residents.
I have never witnessed so many self-inflicted wounds as those of the BCPD. The time may be right for a total overhaul of policing practices in Baltimore.
The current template for years allowed room for egregious behavior among those sworn to protect and serve. A city cannot move forward with that kind of baggage in tow.
Patrick R. Lynch, Nottingham