Most police officers are good hard-working people. Yet, there are a few who are not. There has been a lot of reporting of police brutality, because a majority of people now have video cameras in their phones. Reporting has become more instantaneous. But why do they still call it police brutality when the person is resisting arrest? Police are trained "if you hesitate you get hurt" and there are nearly as many violent arrests during the year in Connecticut as the total amount of police officers.

In other words, it happens a lot. Thirty years ago, I resisted arrest by kicking a cop. There were four of them. They picked me up and threw me face down on the pavement and sprayed mace in my eyes. I received a black eye and cuts and bruises from the black top and my eyes were sore for days afterward. They told me because I was a good-sized guy who had already given six bouncers a struggle, they did what they did so they would not hurt me any worse than needed. I did not cry police brutality because I realized if you are going to play, you are going to pay.

Steven A. Birt

Groton