Yet again, we have witnessed another horrific murder of innocent police officers which will merely foment more anguish, animosity, mistrust, and fuel a vicious circle of violence in our struggling nation ("Hate-infected hearts," July 18). The vast majority of police officers are dedicated and hard working public servants who are employed by the public to keep the peace, maintain order, and enforce the laws within our communities. They are also accountable to the public that hired them. Without police officers, we would have only chaos with the laws of the jungle in place ("might makes right"), as criminals are accountable to no one.
We, as citizens of a democracy, must not fall into the temptation to seek vigilante "justice" to ameliorate these issues. Lawbreakers (whether police officers or ordinary citizens) must have justice meted by a court and not by the streets. Otherwise, we will only have more chaos, wanton violence, anarchy, and race war.
Dr. Michael Pravica