No, I Do Not Hate Cops

A Fort Pierce police officer believes that I hate cops. He wrote that on my Facebook page. I am sorry he feels that way. I do not hate police in general. I cannot think of one police officer I have ever met that I have ever hated personally.

I certainly like some more than others. In more than 35 years as a criminal defense lawyer, I have certainly encountered some police officers who I have learned I cannot trust to do their jobs, or to tell the truth. I have met many who are clearly and openly racist.

I also have had many officers I could call my friends. I have defended several, and defended wives, husbands, sons and daughters of more.

Police officers are people, just like everyone else. But they are also armed and sometimes dangerous. When they break the rules, sometimes people die.

There is systemic racism in this country, and all too often, the police are at its core. That’s the truth, whether we say so or not. We might as well say so.