Officer’s words, actions unbecoming of badge

At 2 a.m. Aug. 12, I was driving downtown to pick up my son and some friends at an establishment I had taken them to earlier. As I drove down First Avenue, I could see that First Avenue was blocked off just past Third Street with police cars.

I stopped at the intersection, unsure of what was happening and what I should do. I slowly turned right onto Third Street. As I turned, a young policeman approached my car and said: “What the f___ are you doing? Get the f___ outta here! (pointing to the roof of Theatre Center Rapids) I gotta a f___ing guy going to jump off the roof!”

I tried to apologize and explain to him that I was turning out of the way but the F-word kept flying.

How you talked to me was uncalled-for. You wear that badge to protect and help that young man on the roof - it does not give you a free pass to talk to me or anyone else that way. I shudder to think if it had been my daughter or my mom who had been in that situation and you had demeaned them so unfairly.

I hope you grow into a great, compassionate police officer. My prayers are with the man who was on that roof.

Cindy Gerken

Cedar Rapids