TO SERVE AND PROTECT

Oct. 14, 2000 - Re: "Bini pleads guilty to lesser charge in fatal
raid," Oct. 6. Ismael Mena's death has now become just a footnote in
the Denver Police Department's history.

In pleading to a weaselly misdemeanor charge, Officer Joseph Bini
admits nothing and the Denver Police Department is able to cover up
what actually led to the wrongful death, nay, murder of an innocent
person.

It is obvious that the Denver police and our justice system simply
want to hide the truth from the public. Rather than admit that one of
their own made a terrible mistake, the police department cited
security reasons for not airing its very dirty laundry.

Once again, in our misguided "War on Drugs," our government crosses
way over the line and an innocent, decent human being pays the price.

The reasons used just do not stand up to the scrutiny of the light of
day - our society is based on truth and individual rights. In order to
"protect us," the police kill one of us and then they are able to hide
the facts surrounding the death so that their methods are not revealed.

After reading The Post's story about Bini and seeing the picture of
his smiling face leaving court, I drove to work. A police car passed
me, and I read the slogan on its side - "to serve and protect." The
Denver police did neither in this case.

BYRON BERGMAN Littleton