July/August 2006 Editor's Viewpoint
Letters to the Editor

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Police Profiling
I would like to thank former police officer Dennis Dalton for his candor in explaining why he stopped individuals. Mr. Dalton explained that he could tell just by looking at someone whether they were a bad guy or not. He used an example of pulling over a motorcyclist, whom he admits did not break any laws, and discovering that this cyclist’s license was suspended. What Mr. Dalton didn’t tell us, of course, is all of the times he pulled someone over whose license wasn’t suspended. Was it every other one, or 9 out of 10? He doesn’t say. He probably thinks it’s no big deal - except that he is harassing that innocent person, based on - guess what - prejudice. Yes, Mr. Dalton, that is exactly what that "sign on the top of their heads" is, your prejudice. You are pre-judging them, and that, Mr. Dalton and all you other police officer out there, is exactly what people are complaining about. When you became a police officer you swore an oath to uphold the constitution, and pulling someone over based on your prejudice violates that oath. You should at least stop being proud of it.

Thomas J. Sullivan
Wilsonville, OR