To the Editor:

Amen to councilmember Williams’ letter to the editor concerning sensitivity training for Selma’s police officers. I mean, come on, aren’t there more important issues concerning Selma than an officer’s “sensitive side?”

Like the car situation maybe? Or let’s see … radars that work in every one of these cars. Or consider this … an assistant to the chief so that when an officer needs a lifeline to the higher-ups in command he can find one.

Sensitive officers. Give me a break. Maybe they can learn to “rephrase” in sensitivity classes. Instead of saying, “Put your hands up, they can say … if you please, if it’s not too much trouble, can you raise your hands above your head … That is unless you don’t have any neck or shoulder pain?”

Or this would be a good one … “Please, if it suits you, will you remove your hands from around the victim’s neck.”

Or how about this … “I really understand your anger and feel your pain, but could you please stop beating that person to a bloody pulp.”

When I think of a police officer, I envision a man or woman of authority, a person who takes charge of a situation.

It’s a little like taking control of a three-year-old in a temper tantrum. Too many pleases and would-you-minds and you have a spoiled brat that doesn’t take you too seriously.

An officer is there to diffuse the situation, make an arrest or report if necessary and go on to the next call. They don’t need to waste valuable time standing there being a counselor and listening to a bunch of baloney about why people are in this or that situation. Or, he said – she said.

The criminals would just love this sensitive class. Hoo-ha. They will laugh all the way out of a crime scene. Of course, an officer should treat everyone with respect if it’s due. But give us all a break. This is just wasting money and an officer’s day off.

Marie Dooling