Good officers need qualified immunity

MY HUSBAND and I come from a law enforcement family, represented in other states as well as New Mexico. Both in the present and in the past, we can proudly count State Police, FBI, Secret Service and city police among our family members. Who speaks for them?

Qualified immunity means if a government official follows the law, that official cannot be sued or be criminally charged. If someone violates the law, that person is not eligible for qualified immunity. As the governor and legislators look at eliminating qualified immunity, why is there so little representation from law enforcement? How can officers possibly protect citizens without the assurance that as long as they perform their jobs and follow the law, they will be afforded the same protection as everyone else? Qualified immunity should remain in place. Furthermore, the Civil Rights Commission should include more than one representative of law enforcement, just as any other professional oversight committee would involve people from that profession and not just legislators and special-interest groups.

There are atrocious teachers, yet, is the entire profession vilified? Nobody reviles the health care profession over one unscrupulous doctor. There have been instances where vulnerable people have been robbed by the very agency which is supposed to protect them. Are folks denouncing all such agencies? Of course not.

The next time you see a law enforcement officer, smile. Buy him or her a cup of coffee. Make their day. They protect yours.

JEAN AND DAN GIBSON Albuquerque