SUPPORTS OFFICERS

I read with interest the letter "Doesn't respect officers" (Aug. 8) about
Gov. Rick Perry. The reader could not understand why the San Antonio Police
Officers' Association would endorse a candidate who appeared to disrespect a
DPS trooper during a traffic stop.

There are a number of good reasons the union supports the governor.

Perry endorsed legislation that enhanced penalties for attempting to take a
peace officer's weapon, evading arrest and burglary of vehicles. He
supported making the possession of chemicals used to manufacture
methamphetamines unlawful.

He opposed bills calling for the legalization of marijuana and removing a
peace officer's right to arrest for certain misdemeanors. He supported
enhanced benefits for families of officers who lost their lives in the line
of duty and increased pension benefits for retired officers.

Though union members see the governor's alleged disrespect for a DPS trooper
as unacceptable, they also understand any citizen would do what he or she
could to help an associate escape a traffic ticket. On its own merits, that
would not warrant the support of the union.

However, when it was time for Perry, as governor, to support the men and
women in blue, he did so without reservation. That is why he was strongly
endorsed by the SAPOA.

Cris Andersen