James Wells: Don’t condemn police officers until they’ve been tried

Re “Police reform needed now” (Letters, July 15): Since the death of five officers and the wounding of nine additional officers, two sheriff’s deputies were killed in Michigan; that same week, a Missouri officer was shot in the back, a Georgia officer was shot while responding to a 911 call, and a Tennessee officer was shot while arresting a sniper who was shooting at motorists.

I understand the suspicious deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were shocking. The suspicious part is that both victims were carrying a firearm, one legally and the other unknown. Unknown is the key word. Until we know the facts, in the USA we are all innocent until proven guilty and that applies to cops just like it does to all citizens. We also have that little thing called “due process” found in the 5th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. That means we must have a trial before we shoot them.

If police reform is needed, and it is at times, a trial and/or lawsuit will make that clear.

Taking a life, even in self-defense, is a lose/lose situation for a cop. There is usually a lawsuit, possible loss of job or worse, going to jail.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 5:20 PM with the headline "James Wells: Don’t condemn police officers until they’ve been tried."