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Re: “Enforce the law — without force,” Dec. 27 column.
Yale Law School teachers Ian Ayres and Daniel Markovits argue that police, in confronting a person suspected of a minor misdemeanor, should not use force that is disproportional to the suspected crime. They claim that the officer “should simply issue a ticket.” If the suspect refuses to accept the ticket or flees, the officer should “obtain [an arrest] warrant.”
What planet are these authors living on? Even misdemeanors are crimes. Should we trivialize them? Should the officer invite the suspect to join him at Starbucks “while I consult my manual to determine if what I observed is a minor misdemeanor or behavior more serious”?
Yes, if the suspect calmly accepts the tendered ticket, fine. If he doesn’t, he/she should be taken into custody, with force if necessary. Providing the information for, and accepting, the ticket aren’t an admission of guilt; it is contestable.
Steve Susman, Denver
This letter was published in the Dec. 30 edition.Ian Ayres and Daniel Markovits obviously have never been involved in a life- or injury- threatening situation requiring a split-second decision. Even when dealing with a minor infraction, police have no idea what a suspectap reaction will be.
Perhaps police training does need more emphasis on rules of engagement, but making a new set of laws for that purpose just invites frivolous lawsuits.
You can’t write a law that is perfect. I wonder if these Yale Law School teachers know that.
Bob Beabout, Aurora
This letter was published in the Dec. 30 edition.
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