Defunding police is a misguided idea
The members of the West Haven Police Department “Retired Officers Association” want to take this opportunity to support the West Haven police department and most compassionate and professional police officers across the country.
Our members who served for several hundred years collectively, have never witnessed such negative actions against the police taking place in West Haven and across the nation that are occurring at this time. The actions of protesters have done little to solve racial problems and quite frankly are causing more tensions and anxiety by their blocking of roads and highways and often violent protests including burning and looting.
Their cries to “Defund the Police” have proven baseless and unreasonable already as New Haven in particular has seen shootings in 2020 increase from 37 last year to 54, with still 6 months left in the year. To add to this dilemma, police are receiving no help from very reluctant witnesses in obtaining information to help solve these crimes.
There have been calls for West Haven Police Chief Perno to step down, however many of us have worked alongside Joe Perno for many years, and he has always been an excellent officer working his way up the ranks and is highly respected by the community and the officers he serves. The use of police dogs to help quell any disturbance, is exactly what police dogs are trained for in such circumstances, and we applaud the officers for bringing a swift end to the lawlessness of protesters blocking the streets.
As for the shooting of Mubarak Soulemane in West Haven., this incident began in Norwalk with a car-jacking that lead to a high speed chase on I-95, endangering innocent motorist, and at the end the W.H. police were on the scene to assist the state police, and should not bear any responsibility for what actions took place by the state police.
Our organization continues to serve the community by awarding many scholarships over the years to deserving seniors in West Haven and Notre Dame high schools for students wishing to pursue a career in law enforcement. This program was agreed upon by our members as our continuing service to our community for which we all served with honor and respect.
The executive board of the West Haven Police Department Retired Officers Association
President-Russell Kniehl ,
Treasurer-Bill Conlan ,
Vice President-John Jarvie
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