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This is reposted from five tweets Saturday night by the writer, the state's attorney general since the start of last year.
By Dana Nessel
While I am inspired by the protests which, at long last, will hopefully allow for substantive, structural change to policing and our system of criminal justice, I am also saddened by the demonization of all police officers and calls to defund law enforcement.
"Calls to abolish police departments and destroy their funding sources are not the solution." (Photo: Facebook)
While there is no question the current system allows for far too many who serve to abuse their power, there are also such significant number of officers who are dedicated to their communities and who place their lives on the line every day to protect those who require help.
Calls to abolish police departments and destroy their funding sources are not the solution.
My heart breaks for those who have been the subject of police brutality, and officers who engage in such conduct should be held fully accountable. But I have lost so many police officer friends who had their lives cut short protecting the lives of others not to appreciate the importance of their jobs and the sacrifices they and their families made to keep others safe.
My heart breaks for them as well.
We can work in earnest to create meaningful change without vilifying dedicated public servants who are far more brave than most of us who choose a career in government. I could never do my job without law enforcement officers around the state doing theirs.
