UNIFORM ISN'T WHAT DISTINGUISHES AN OFFICER

Evidently, Joan Van Noske believes we are governed by martial law when she
writes that "it's Ismael Mena's own fault he's dead" (Dec. 19 letters, "You
don't pull a gun") Wrong! If I were running a meth lab, then I might expect
a raid at any moment. However, I'm just a guy trying to earn an honest
living. So if someone is kicking in my door at 2 a.m., I would assume he
doesn't belong there and probably means to do me harm. Thus, I have the
right to respond with appropriate force, regardless of how the intruder is
dressed.

Anyone with a credit card can have a complete SWAT uniform shipped to him
overnight. Even a felon can easily obtain everything from the Thorogood
boots to a Kevlar helmet and the all-important black balaclava. Therefore,
the uniform by itself is meaningless.

What must distinguish a police officer are his or her honor, integrity,
propriety, competence and accountability. Sadly, Joseph Bini possesses none
of these.

Doroteo De Leon III, Littleton