Officer Ryan Soccio, I applaud you for your recent heartfelt Letter to the Editor, which you submitted in response to the invectives Josh Brown spewed at the members of the New London Police Department during Chief Wright's ceremony on July 14. Despite the poet laureate's sensational implications to the contrary, I neither read nor heard a specific example of, or reference to, an allegation of malfeasance of which a member of your department was found guilty or deemed to be culpable, including the case of Lashano Gilbert, whose untimely demise was tragic, but not a result of an improper act by the New London Police Department.

More of us should stand and respond directly, loudly, and truthfully when castigated by uninformed opinions, bigoted comments, or falsehoods containing snippets of fact. Responsible people, who are in positions of influence, do not leap impulsively at the opportunity to perpetuate toxic, fictional propaganda just because it supports a narrative. They ascend above ignorance and research the issue thoroughly before making a presentation to the public.

Although we have not met, I thank you Officer Soccio for your service to the community you police. Your honorable reputation precedes you.

Bruce W. Babcock

East Lyme