
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 18, 1991                   TAG: 9103190399
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEAST-INFORMED ARE SPRYEST CRITICS

ENOUGH already. Why is it that the people least familiar with law enforcement seem the quickest to criticize the performance of the Roanoke Police Department, or question the professionalism of its chief?

On the allegations of white police officers using excessive force on black suspects, I can honestly say from an impartial standpoint that I have seen officers use remarkable self-restraint under some very trying situations with suspects of all races and backgrounds. In fact, I have seen suspects taunt officers to provoke a forceful response. Any attorney can confirm that there is a small percentage of the population who actually make a living on civil-litigation settlements.

As for the issue of there not being enough black officers on the city police force, could this possibly be because not enough "quality" blacks are applying? I have never seen the city recruit for only white or only black police candidates, just quality candidates. Excuse me for not seeing any discrimination in that. Perhaps some of the blacks on the committee studying this problem should apply, and see if they can "make the grade."

It is my honest opinion that if most people would devote more of their time to parenting, and their energy to community education, they would find less need to police the police. RON W. PUGH ROANOKE

by CNB