The likeness of the Los Angeles Police Department's badge depicted on the front page of The Times' sports section on Feb. 6, coupled with the motto of the LAPD shown under the picture of the brawling hockey player, is an affront to the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police officers everywhere are charged with the responsibility of keeping the peace. It is only after the peacekeeping fails that our role turns to that of "enforcing the law." The Times' casual and thoughtless depiction of a police badge is harmful and counterproductive to the role of the police officer in our society. We are not brawlers or "goons," we are the proud men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.
