Readers React: Lack of accountability for LAPD cops who shot at newspaper delivery women

To the editor: After reading The Times’ story on the decision by the Los Angeles County district attorney not to charge officers in the shooting of the two women delivering newspapers in February 2013, it occurs to me that the public is in grave danger from a poorly trained, extremely fearful police force. (“No charges for LAPD officers in mistaken Dorner shooting; memo details how things went wrong,” Jan. 27)

The president of the officers’ own union as well as their attorney said that the officers in this incident lacked the training to handle the emergency created by rogue ex-Los Angeles cop Christopher Dorner’s rampage. Isn’t that why we have a police force, to respond to dangerous situations that civilians are not equipped or trained to handle?

The recent rash of videos showing police reacting with irrational, deadly force instead of cool professionalism appears to confirm their claims. And when did police become so terrified of doing police work that they shoot at people wielding cellphones, phone cases or combs, and at women delivering newspapers?

Ed Morales, La Mirada

..

To the editor: This is beyond belief.

Two women who are not large black men, who are not driving a vehicle matching the description of Dorner’s truck vehicle, are “mistaken” for Dorner and are fired upon by overzealous Los Angeles Police Department officers in a hail of gunfire — but the district attorney can find no evidence of wrongdoing?

What?

Scott W. Hughes, Westlake Village

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