To the editor: The report on Francisco Longoria’s arrest (“San Bernardino man arrested after immigration officers shot at his truck,” Aug. 29) reveals a disturbing abuse of authority that shouldn’t be allowed to fade into silence.
In courtroom, the prosecutor admitted he didn’t know what visitors violation justified the cease and was “not conscious of any accidents” to the officers who claimed assault. Video proof reveals no assault — solely officers retreating after which pursuing. And let’s prime all of that off with the truth that Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers haven’t any authority in any way to make stops attributable to visitors violations.
But nobody — neither San Bernardino police, the district lawyer, nor the California lawyer normal — has opened an investigation into illegal detention, assault with a lethal weapon or the reckless use of lethal power.
If a civilian had fired right into a truck with a household inside, costs can be swift. When authorities brokers do it, silence is the response. That isn’t the rule of legislation — it’s the rule of impunity.
Stephen Downing, Lengthy Seaside
The author is a retired deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Division.
