Respect officers

Re “‘Our Streets’ exhibit at new Norfolk gallery explores Richmond as epicenter of summer’s racial justice movement” (Oct. 14): In the article, Breon Corbett said he didn’t know if white men have ever had to talk to their children about interacting with the police.

Several years ago, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who inexplicably had to ask himself, essentially said the same as have other prominent Black fathers.

The real question is, shouldn’t all parents, red and yellow, Black and white, whose children are precious in their sight be having a conversation about respect and courtesy?

Not only about police, but teachers, coaches and anyone in a position of authority’ or really, any adult with whom they come in contact. Do white fathers do this? I did with my children more than 20 years ago, as my father did more than 50 years ago: “Say yes sir, no sir; yes ma’am, no ma’am; I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” etc.

Keep in mind that enough police officers are shot or seriously injured during routine traffic stops that they are on their guard when they pull drivers over.

An encounter with the police is not the time to have an attitude, show disgust or question their motives. A wise judge used to tell those in his courtroom, “You can’t resolve these matters out on the street. This courtroom is where you resolve complaints about the how and why of your charges.”

Almost routinely, when they already know the answer, attorneys or the judge will ask the officer in a traffic case, “Was he cooperative with you?” It helps the case a lot when the officer can answer, “yes.”

Harvey Bryant, retired Virginia Beach commonwealth’s attorney, Virginia Beach