A letter concerning the trial of Officer Andrea Mendoza concludes saying that yes, officers are allowed to defend themselves (Our Readers’ Views, May 14). Yes, they are. This was never in question.
The officer was charged with misdemeanor assault for pulling down a suspect’s pants and threatening to taser his genitals. This action was caught on body camera and used in evidence. The letter downplays the action saying it was dark and no one was around. This doesn’t make it OK. It happened.
The suspect resisted and assaulted the officers, so physical force was justified. It’s the actions taken that brought the charge. For those saying it worked, a poke in the eye with a sharp stick probably would have stopped the suspect as well, but it wouldn’t be right.
All that aside, the officer was found not guilty, so that’s that. What remains to be seen is if the public will be so blase, and also amused as was the case here, if a male officer does the same to a female suspect.
