Officer firing unjustified

A story in another newspaper about the police lieutenant that was fired from his job over the shooting of Kofi Adu-Brempong is upsetting to me as a taxpayer.  It seems to me that everyone is blaming the Lieutenant, when in fact, the one to blame is Mr. Brempong.  Mr. Brempong was ordered to put down the steel table leg and failed to do so.  He could have complied and I’m sure no force would have been used.  I know that it’s big business educating foreign students, but they must comply with our laws and obey our officials. Charges should have been pursued against Mr. Brempong.  To not hold him accountable is to open the door for a lawsuit that the taxpayers will have to pay.

The police chief said in justifying her firing of Lt. Stacy Ettel that his was not the squad that should have handled the disturbance.  Was the Lieutenant and his squad dispatched there?  When a person has to make decisions in a crisis all the information is not always available until later.  The State Attorney’s office did not pursue charges against any of the other officers, finding they were legally justified in their use of force.

What a joy it must be to work for Police Chief Stump.  Whatever happened to supporting your officers?  If I were an officer under her, I would be looking for somewhere to go, before I had to make a controversial decision.  Shame on you, Chief!

The union says the Lieutenant was used as a sacrificial lamb.  I believe this is true, and I call on all citizens to stand up for our officers, and support them.  Lieutenant Ettel should appeal this and fight it to the bitter end.

Bobby A. Simmons

High Springs, Fla.