Us and them.

Editor,

Police officers turning their backs on Mayor de Blasio are turning their backs on the public they are sworn to protect.

I find this extremely troubling because it indicates to me that these officers could care less about the terror, injuries, violations of human rights, and deaths American police inflict daily coast to coast on citizens, particular black male citizens, it is their job to protect.

This awful killing of two innocent policemen by a crazed and violent madman does not magically make the equally horrible abuses of police power in the USA suddenly OK.

Bad behavior is bad. No matter who engages in it, criminals or cops.

I have a special word for police spokesmen who are trying to muzzle debate about police violence: You blame protesters and Mayor de Blasio for creating the atmosphere in which the unbalanced individual who did this got excited and acted out his fantasy.

Well, look in the mirror, my friends. Rushing to the defense of killer cops, trying to push your ridiculous line that cops can do no wrong -- instead of saying, yes, there is a problem, we have got to talk -- keeps the anger level high.

Come down off your high horse and call racism what it is, call killing what it is, call harassment what it is, call brutality what it is. Join the human race, and help us -- the public -- help you do your job.

Police are supposed to be masters of deescalation, not a gang who sees the world as us and them.

Re: "Before Shooting Two Officers, Gunman Bragged About His Plans" (12/22/2014)