Miller’s replacement

Del. Michael Jackson’s efforts to reappointed as the replacement for Mike Miller in the state Senate. I would hope that itwould be remembered that Jackson, while Prince George’s Sheriff on July 29, 2008 commandedthe SWATteam officers who conducted the abortive raid on Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo’s home, bypassing an open kitchen door, then battering down his front door and shooting and killing his two black Labrador retrievers, one whowas running away fromthem.

The mayor, in his underwear, and his mother- in- law were handcuffed and forced to kneel in the dog’s blood for hours while a search of their home was conducted. The Berwyn Heights Police, the primary law enforcement agency for the Town, were not notified nor asked to assist in carrying out this warrant, and the officers hadn’t conducted themost basic of investigations to determine who lived in this house.

No charges were ever brought against Calvo or his family, as the subsequent investigation revealed they were innocent recipients of a misdirected package intended for a corrupt delivery driver. Calvo’s lawsuitwas settled before trial, and additional changesweremadeto reporting requirements for SWAT teams under Maryland law.

But Jackson refused to admit any mistake. I question whether high political office can be trusted to a man whose character will not allowhim to admit such a horrible mistake in judgment. PATRICK A. MURPHY Mechanicsville

Editor’s note: Patrick A. Murphy is the retired chief of police at the Berwyn Heights Police Departmentin Prince George’s County.