Letter: Why coming forward so late in the game?

Dear Editor:

Really, Mr. Haflich? (“Not behind rallying cry for police officer,” Dec. 4, page 4). Thanks for making it obvious that you are the one who filed the complaint. It’s evident that you’re not the type of man to hold a grudge, considering it happened over two years ago!

Why did you come forward so late in the game? Perhaps an ex-chief who needed a complaint came to you. Tell me this; is your back sore from the puppet strings?

You claim the rally participants weren’t supporting their constitutional rights. Perhaps you need to go back to eighth-grade social studies. The First Amendment states we have the right of the people to peaceably assemble.

You also asked because he’s an officer, is he innocent? Several times this incident was gone over, and several times it was found there was no violation. Being a good neighbor doesn’t make a good cop – helping the public, assisting on ambulance calls, patrolling your entire shift, taking six-minute breaks and being unbiased makes him an amazing police officer.

Your definition of use of force is correct, but you didn’t research the Montana code under which it falls. Under 45-3-106 … “a peace officer or other person who has an arrested person in custody is justified in the use of force to prevent the escape of the arrested person from custody that the officer or other person would be justified in using if the officer or other person were arresting the person.”

I really do want to commend you on the beautiful letter to the editor, who helped? We should have a yellow ribbon parade for you in honor of the color of your belly! You should be ashamed of yourself. Do you remember being detained that night? Perhaps a video recap of your actions is in order. Chances are you’d be singing a different tune.

Katie Davis

Troy