The Debate Over Blake: A Cop’s Major Mistake
Some people are saying James Blake’s situation is another racial incident blown out of proportion by the media and we deserve to hear the officer’s side (“Blake Bust Tape,” Sept. 12). What side? The officer charged Blake and tackled him to the ground and cuffed him. The professional thing would have been to approach him and ask for his ID, which I’m sure Blake would have provided.
I’m also pretty sure if Blake had been white, this wouldn’t have happened.
It was a racial incident and totally not blown out of proportion. The officer is not Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants, and Blake is not Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, so the tackle was unnecessary. Eric Alexander
The Bronx
I guess Blake doesn’t care much about whether the police officer he wants fired has a wife and children depending on him.
The use of the phrase “body slam” is inappropriate in describing what happened to Blake.
If he were “body slammed” on concrete, he’d certainly be in a hospital.
Blake plays a game for a living. Police work is no game; it’s dangerous, which is why suspected criminals are presumed to be armed and dangerous.
When was the last time a tennis player got shot in the head? John Urcinoli
Staten Island
The NYPD officer who assaulted Blake didn’t identify himself as a cop.
The officer, who has a history of brutality complaints, should be termi nated from the NYPD. But this won’t happen for three reasons, despite Blake’s high profile.
One: Police Commissioner Bill Bratton doesn’t care enough about police brutality. Two: Mayor de Blasio is increasingly irrelevant. Three: the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association insists bad cops not be separated from their publicly paid jobs. Robert Sieger
Manhattan
Anyone with two minutes of lawenforcement experience will tell you that Blake’s takedown was perfectly routine.
Remember, Blake was pointed out by an eyewitness. Police officers are taught this from Day One in the police academy.
If you hesitate and fail to take control of the situation, the suspect can begin fighting or running.
For people to leave this officer swinging in the wind due to political pressures is an absolute outrage. Scott Fitzpatrick
Washingtonville
Blake merely wants the cop who bodyslammed him fired.
Blake didn’t use this incident as part of an Al Sharptonlike racial agenda.
He said he has the utmost respect for the NYPD.
Blake lost me at first when he complained about the cop. Then, he regained my respect when he refused to use race to incite an incident.
Blake isn’t a thug. He knows cops keep chaos out of the city and that minority communities depend most on their protection.
Blake reminds us how polite and great the city’s civilians can be, and what an insult to civilization protesters like Sharpton can be.
Blake may be a little harsh in his wanting the cop to be fired, but he is retroactively justified by not racehustling.
Tennis is a gentleman’s sport, and Blake is a gentleman. David Lawrence
Manhattan
Blake wants the officer fired for doing his job.
Mr. Blake, you couldn’t walk one city block in that officer’s shoes. You got your apology.
That officer had to protect not only himself if you had a gun, but also the people around you.
The takedown had to be fast. I have more than 28 years of lawenforcement experience, so I know what I’m talking about. Get over it. Pete Calogero
Red Hook
Will Bratton and de Blasio personally apologize to all victims of false arrest, or just the famous ones? Vinny Mooney Poughkeepsie