In response to the death of Sudanese refugee Deng Manyoun, who was shot after charging an LMPD officer with a metal flag pole, police union president Dave Mutchler issued an open letter to stand against those who “continue to assault and demonize us.”
Mutchler, who serves as a Louisville Metro Police sergeant, wrote “To the sensationalists, liars and race-baiters —we are done with you. At first it was good enough just to sit back and watch your ridiculous spectacle. No more. Now your rhetoric, lies and hate puts all of us, police officers and citizens alike, in danger. “
He further said that sensationalist “idiocy and lies are what caused the destruction in Ferguson and other cities around our country,” and that “the truth is that every day there are millions of encounters during which police officers interact peacefully with all kinds of people, even during very difficult circumstances.”
Mayor Fischer, who is in San Francisco attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors, responded to Mutchler’s letter. "Rather than incite anger and distrust between the police and the community, my administration will continue to work to build those critical relationships and the trust they create," Fischer said in written statement.
Councilman David James (6th District) plans on hosting a community forum next Monday (June 22) at 5:30p.m. at the Fourth Street United Methodist Church to discuss the shooting and community response. LMPD Chief Steve Conrad, representatives from the Old Louisville Neighborhoods Council and Catholic Charities have confirmed that they will be in attendance.
Click here to read the full letter.
Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Police Department
