Pubdate: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 Source: Santa Barbara News-Press (CA) Copyright: 2000 Santa Barbara News-Press Contact: P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara, CA 93102 Website: http://www.newspress.com/ Author: M. J. Rose Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1431/a06.html POLICE KILLING SOUNDS ACCIDENTAL I am sorely disappointed. The News-Press has been very cognizant in the past of the risks that police officers take in enforcing the law. The editorial "Drug War Casualty," excerpted from the Orange County Register, makes officers appear as blood-thirsty thugs, rather than men who raised their right hands and swore before their God to protect innocent citizens and uphold the constitutional rights of criminals. "Such killings by police simply are inexcusable" the editorial states. The killing of people, except in self defense, by any party, is wrong. But this situation does not sound like a killing. It sounds like a tragic accident. An accident brought about by the extremes that police officers must go to in order go home each night, alive and in one piece. We see almost every day in the news how the drug trade creates large numbers of victims, both through violence and addiction. It is no surprise to me that police officers, who are mandated by law to enforce the drug laws, are caught in the crossfire. Whether or not you believe in the war on drugs, one must remember that officers are there to enforce all the laws, not just the ones they might or might not believe to be morally correct. It is the violence that is so pervasive in the drug culture that creates a niche for SWAT teams, who train to be able to handle such dangerous situations. I'm sure that once criminals cease murdering police officers, SWAT teams will become a thing of the past. However, the trend doesn't seem to be heading that direction. Two officers were killed recently in Los Angeles. Two more who won't be protecting us anymore. Two more who won't be going home to their families. We in Santa Barbara County have been lucky in that few of our peace officers have given up their lives in the line of duty. It is evident that law enforcement leaders in our area make great efforts in providing the necessary training and equipment to provide an exceptional level of service and protection for those they are responsible for. As for the individual officers, take the time to go and speak to them, and ask their concerns for their own safety. Take the time to thank them for protecting you and your family. The abrupt and violent death of one as young as Alberto Sepulveda is a sorrow event, as he paid the price for his father's alleged misdeeds. I make no excuse for the actions of officer David Hawn. I'm sure that whether the shooting was an accident or intentional will become clear through the attorney general's investigation. News-Press, I am disappointed. I realize that so-called "military-style assaults" are not very politically correct, but that you would print an article that suggests taking officers' protection away is awful. M. J. Rose, Santa Maria - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D