OFFICERS NOT SURPRISED, WORRY ABOUT FUTURE DEADLY-FORCE SCENARIOS

"I'm a supporter of our judicial system," Louisville Metro Police Chief
Robert White said. The department's officers "believe in due process
like I do."

Some Louisville Metro Police officers and their supporters said they
were concerned but not surprised by yesterday's indictment of
Detective McKenzie Mattingly for fatally shooting a fleeing suspect.

"The danger, the thing I worry about, is that officers when they find
they get into such deadly force situations, this sort of thing will
make them hesitate," said Sgt. Eric Johnson, an officer in
Louisville's 1st District.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Mattingly yesterday on one
count of murder and one count of wanton endangerment stemming from the
Jan. 3 shooting that left Michael Newby dead from bullet wounds in the
back. Police say the shooting occurred during an undercover drug buy.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White said it's hard to predict
the impact of yesterday's decision on department morale.

But White said he expects that most of his officers believe in the
legal process.

"I'm a supporter of our judicial system," White said. Officers in the
department "believe in due process like I do."

Fraternal Order of Police President Richard Dotson said the union's
stance from the beginning has been that the judicial system must work
through the process.

Now that Mattingly has been indicted, Dotson said, "he'll have his say
in court, and we'll wait to see what happens."

Dotson said union members are concerned because all officers
understand that they could be required to use deadly force.

"They have to think about it, because they can be in the situation in
the next minute," Dotson said.

Johnson cautioned that the public should remember that an indictment
does not equal a conviction.

Until all the facts are revealed, Johnson said, he and other officers
are choosing to believe Mattingly will be acquitted.

Bridget Abell, founder of Citizens for the Fair Treatment of Police,
said she hopes Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Stengel's decision to
recommend an indictment was not politically motivated.

"It makes me wonder," said Abell, who is the wife of a police officer.
"Is it warranted or is it because we've got people down there stamping
their feet saying this is the only acceptable outcome?"

Civil-rights activists have demonstrated and called for an indictment
against Mattingly. In response to those protests, Abell organized a
rally in support of police two weeks ago that drew about 500 people.

Abell said her group has no immediate plans to demonstrate again,
saying the group was not formed specifically to support Mattingly.

Abell said her biggest concern is the state of mind of officers
working their beats.

"Morale will be down in the department," Abell said. "I hope and pray
to God they will not hesitate."