Police being unfairly blamed

Re: “Watchdog investigating injury to autistic boy while in police care,” Aug. 24.

I feel much empathy for the parents of the child injured by the Calgary police. It’s painful to see any child hurt and scared.

I have a nephew who is autistic and also 12 years old. I do know that often with his disability, he can be extremely difficult to manage.

What were the parents thinking would happen? If the situation has become so volatile that they must call 911, surely they understand that some force may have to be used.

Perhaps they should have specified they needed an ambulance and the paramedics could have provided medical care instead.

It’s unfair to place blame on the police by assuming they should be capable of managing an autistic emotional 12-year-old when the parents could not, even with their 12 years of experience.

Laura Meier, Calgary