Other diaries about the Gray death in Baltimore have created more heat than light. We can all agree that calling a group of residents, who happen to be African American, who happen to be protesting a case of police misconduct -- I'll leave it at that for now -- a "lynch mob" is one of the great public relations fails of 2015.
Here's the text of the FOP press release that used the term. What's astonishing is the lofty, we're not to blame tone here. After reading it a few times, I'm left even more uncomfortable.
BALTIMORE CITY LODGE No. 3 [FOP LODGE 3]
GENE S. RYAN President
LISA M. RIHA Secretary
Phone: (410} 243-9141
Fax: {410) 487-1643
Twitter: @FOP3
For Immediate Release
Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #3 extends our most sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Freddie Gray. Anytime a young person’s life is lost, the community grieves and Mr. Gray’s death is no exception. We also commend Commissioner Batts for the measured steps that are being taken to complete the investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Gray’s death.
We fully support the Officers involved in this matter as we know them to be well trained, respected members of the Baltimore Police Department and our union. There is, at this time, no indication of any criminal activity whatsoever but our support will not waiver for any reason. We are, by nature of our profession, a proud group of men and women and our pride is unshakeable.
While we appreciate the right of our citizens to protest and applaud the fact that, to date, the protests have been peaceful, we are very concerned about the rhetoric of the protests. In fact, the images seen on television look and sound much like a lynch mob in that they are calling for the immediate imprisonment of these officers without them ever receiving the due process that is the Constitutional right of every citizen, including law enforcement officers. We are reminded of the number of times that some of these same citizens argued their own innocence when confronted by their personal issues with law enforcement. Just as they expect due process so, too, do our officers. We are not concerned with the community’s confidence in the investigation; only that the investigation is handled without bias and that it is given the appropriate diligence.
Also, time and time again we hear commentary related to the number of times that Baltimore City has settled claims in cases of police brutality. Let us be clear, we completely disagree with this policy as many of these cases are settled without concern for the facts but, rather, to avoid the high cost of defending a potential Lawsuit. We believe that these cases should be decided in Court where proper time and attention can be given. The ease of settlement, and substantial award amount, has led to the unjustified perception of an increase in brutality complaints.
We have full faith in the actions of the Officers involved and look forward to the results of the investigation as we are confident that they will be vindicated.
REPRESENTING THE PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS OF BALTIMORE CITY