Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022 | 2 a.m.
When Judge Erika Ballou spoke her opinion from the bench, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association leadership expressed derisive incomprehension, ignorance and disregard for today’s cultural climate.
Brian Greenspun’s July 24 column “It’s 2022. The judge spoke the truth” castigated the political stance and posturing of the LVPPA, along with those who refuse to believe the truth. As a retired corrections officer and lifelong LVPPA member, I know they don’t speak for me or many of my former colleagues.
Studies find that Blacks are three times more likely to be killed by a police officer than white people and 1.3 times more likely to be unarmed. Most killings start with traffic stops and nonviolent offenses. Thus Ballou’s statement: “Blacks don’t want to be nowhere where cops are.”
Police officers must be impartial and fair. Instead, we have LVPPA President Steve Grammas, who thinks reality for Black Americans is “a political view that needs to be left at home.”
Grammas has chosen to be a MAGA Republican instead of a neutral enforcer. He supports ex-President Donald Trump, who orchestrated an insurrection and stands with those who injured over 100 officers on Jan. 6. 2021.
As long as Grammas and like-minded individuals are in charge, we can’t trust anything they say or anyone they support. I urge my former colleagues to vote Grammas out. Elect people who will weed out the bad apples and clean up the image of those entrusted to protect and serve.