Police brutality or brutality of police unacceptable
Being out in public offers opportunity to learn about events happening in the city — both good and bad.
For instance, a local resident offered news about two city police officers being assaulted on Friday. They had responded to an issue near Hoffman Ave. and Oakland St.
Apparently, the situation got out of hand and several men beat up both police officers. Backups ar- rived and quelled the violence. Police were treated for non life-threatening injuries at Robert Wood Johnson in Hamilton. One officer had a glass bottle smashed against his cheekbone.
Finding facts about the incident required patience that morphed to disappointment as numerous phone calls to appropriate persons went unanswered.
Hey, it’s an election year and people in high places make every attempt to keep silent about bad news, especially pertaining to public safety. The ifthey -don’t-ask-then don’ttell modus operandi receives understanding but not acceptance here.
The police incident got downplayed although photos of one bloodied officer surfaced. What had been portrayed as not that serious, looked bad.
The story metastasized as Trenton Police Director Stephen Wilson said eventually in a statement, “Violence against our citizens or our police will not be tolerated. Be sure our team is tracking down all responsible parties and will be bringing them to justice,” Wilson said.
“This community is fed up with the cowardly actions of the few and is working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators of violence.”
Violence against citizens by police or persons should never be accepted. And violence against police should receive exact response.
Law enforcement exists as a two-way avenue with police holding authority. However, that power requires restraint, good judgement and operations within the confines of law.
Assaults on police and citizens rank as serious matters which means Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora should step up to the plate and lead.
If these police acted within their powers during this recent assault then Mr. Gusciora needs to speak loudly and establish the rules of Trenton.
Gusciora must alert the public that Trenton will offer no tolerance for assaults of police officers.
Conversely, in cases where police officers clearly overstep their authority, Gusciora needs to display similar concerns.
This recent incident demands details and a message that Trenton will not have the lives and safety of law enforcement officers placed in jeopardy or peril.
Period. Plus, other voices need to rally in support of police in this incident.
“But if (South Ward Councilman) George says
anything, he’s immediately called a white supremacist,” Terry, his wife, protested.
Not exactly. Muschal, a retired Trenton police officer, owns a pro-police history and supports Mayor Gusciora.
The bromance should not take precedence over
blue brotherhood. Police brutality and brutality against police should not occur.