In This Issue - Vol 3, No. 2 (Fall, 2001)
Brooklyn Officer Faces 15 Years - For a Crime He Did Not Commit
From the Chairman
First, thanks to all of you who have supported our efforts to insure that our police officers receive a fair and just trial. As you can see from the cases on pages one and three, justice is not always a certain thing. Also it is apparent how truly dangerous and difficult it is to carry out law enforcement duties, and how easy it is for police officers to be charged for taking action, or in Officer Schwarz’s case just for being on duty and being mistakenly identified.
As I have said on occasion in this column, it is not easy for a judge and a jury to analyze the actions of law enforcement officers when they must use force, especially deadly force. The standard that is employed is both subjective and objective. First, the subjective: Did the police officer reasonably believe that he or another was in danger? Secondly, the objective: Was the officer reasonably justified in using force and was it the proper force? Frequently, many of our citizens do not appreciate how difficult the job of a police officer becomes when danger threatens.
The events of September 11, 2001, brought home to America how heroic our police officers and firemen will act when confronted with duty that entails danger. Seventy brave law enforcement officers lost their lives in the events of September 11. They included city, state and federal employees. If any good can come out of the evil inflicted upon our nation, it is that now more than ever, Americans are aware of and appreciate the sacrifices made daily by our nation’s law enforcers and also our nation’s firefighters.
On behalf of LELDF, we send our sincere condolences to the families of all the victims who died on September 11. May God be with you in this troubling time.
At LELDF we are proud to be a small part of the law enforcement community. But we could not do our part if it were not for your generous support. Indeed you share in our work, as it is you who allow us to continue to help those unfortunate officers who are called upon to take action in the line of duty — actions that save lives and defend freedom.
Sincerely,
David Henderson Martin
