Police Union Prez Calls Protestors “Liars and Race-Baiters”
Photo courtesy WDRB
Dozens of protestors forced the temporary closure of the Louisville Metro Police headquarters on Monday afternoon in a protest that sought the firing of the local police union leader for his reaction to an officer-involved fatal shooting.
Last Thursday the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter released a letter to the community. Signed by Louisville F.O.P. President Dave Mutchler and printed below, it stated that “sensationalists, liars and race-baiters” were putting Louisville in danger. The comments prompted calls for the resignation of the Mutchler.
Consider this an open letter to the public we serve, the criminal element in our city, and the self appointed spokespersons who choose to remain blind to reason, who use misinformation and who sensationalize tragedy at every opportunity to forward their political agendas.
Know this: The members of River City FOP Lodge 614, who serve and protect Louisville every day, will no longer stand on the sidelines while anyone continues to assault and demonize us.
To those of you that support us while we serve and protect you — Thank You. Although you are not chosen for media interviews, we know that you understand we are here for you and your families. We know that the vast majority of you see that ninety-nine percent of police officers serve with integrity and courage. Although we know in our hearts that you are the silent majority, sadly, that may not be enough. Soon, we may have to ask for you to rise with us against the small, but very vocal group of people in our city who resist everything we all strive to attain — freedom, safety and the ability to live our lives happily and without fear.
To the criminal element in our community-we do not fear you. We are not your punching bag and we will not simply stand by and accept your verbal or physical assaults. No matter what craziness occurs, we will always protect our citizens and ourselves. No matter how weak our criminal justice system, we will hunt you down again and again until they put you away or you go away. No matter how weak our policies we will find a way to make you understand that Louisville isn’t where you want to live. Most importantly, though, take note of the following: If you actively resist or assault us, we will use every option available to take you into custody. If you use deadly force against us or use or attempt to use a dangerous instrument or deadly weapon against us, we will use deadly force against you and we WILL stop the threat to us, our fellow officers or the citizens we serve.
To the sensationalists, liars and race-baiters —we are done with you. At first it was good enough just to sit back and watch your ridiculous spectacle. No more. Now your rhetoric, lies and hate puts all of us, police officers and citizens alike, in danger. From now on we will call you out each and every time you tell a lie, twist the truth or otherwise engage in vile behavior meant to push your selfish agendas. If your behavior or untruths causes harm to us or the public, we will make every attempt to have you investigated, charged and prosecuted at the local, state or federal level. Your idiocy and lies are what caused the destruction in Ferguson and other cities around our country and we won’t be tolerating that here. We watched in shock most recently as some of you flat out lied to the media after a critical incident here in Louisville. Many in the media are self serving too, and we watched as they stood on the sidelines and fanned the flames for financial gain.
It is obvious to nearly everyone that you are attacking and lashing out at the police instead of attacking the real problem — those who commit crimes in our city and those who enable the criminal element. Are you not paying attention to what is happening around the country? As police are disempowered the predominately minority areas of cities, including Louisville, are suffering at the hands of killers and violent felons. Yet you continue to attack law enforcement. Your attacks can’t stop the truth from shining through. The truth is that every day there are millions of encounters during which police officers interact peacefully with all kinds of people, even during very difficult circumstances.
Your flawed logic and lack of reason regarding events that occur in our society makes you appear stunningly inept. Let me help you. All citizens in Louisville, regardless of race, creed, color, gender or national origin have the SAME rights and responsibilities. No one gets a separate set of rules. Politicians may fear you and your tactics-we do not. You and those you enable must abide by the law and comply with law enforcement like everyone else. If you refuse to comply or even worse, attack a law enforcement officer, expect to be met with force.
Your ridiculous demands and anti-law enforcement attitude has reached a level that is unacceptable. You want our attention? Well you have it. Consider yourselves on notice. We challenge you to have the same integrity and dedication to serving the community that you say you seek in the police. We already have it. You need to get it.
On behalf of the members of RCFOP Lodge 614,
Dave Mutchler
President
River City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 614
No arrests were made during the protest and the headquarters reopened in mid-afternoon, a police spokesman said.
Mutchler, a sergeant on the police force, has reaffirmed his support for the letter in interviews with local media.
On June 13, Louisville Metro Police officer Nathan Blanford fatally shot Deng Manyoun, who was swinging a metal flagpole at the officer before he was shot.
The shooting—the latest in a string of officer-involved fatal shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, Cleveland, South Carolina, and other communities—drew some attention from local residents, though a video recording of the incident appeared to quell concerns.
“Your idiocy and lies are what caused the destruction in Ferguson and other cities around our country and we won’t be tolerating that here,” the letter from FOP local 614 said.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Police Chief Steve Conrad condemned the letter as did local activists, some of whom called for Mutchler to resign or be removed from the force.
Fischer said in a statement on Thursday his administration would continue to build relationships “rather than incite anger and distrust between the police and the community.”
Not all who attended the demonstration agreed with blocking intersections or the call to fire Mutchler.
Professor Ricky Jones, chairman of the Pan-African Studies department at the University of Louisville, who was at the demonstration, said such demands were unnecessary after the mayor and police chief denounced the union’s position. Jones said he hoped union members would remove Mutchler as local president.
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