LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Protesters have worked to make their voices heard for weeks now, and Tuesday morning, police officers did the same at a rally in Central Park.
Retired Louisville Metro police officer George Rodman said current officers and peaceful protesters have the same goal – trying to make a difference, but he says they’re treated very differently.
“Everyone should thank their higher power that they still show up every day to protect the good citizens from evil, my heroes,” Rodman said.
Rodman says the majority of officers have worked 20 of the last 23 days for 12, 13, or 14-hour shifts on the front lines. He said officers have been spat or shot at and had things thrown at them.
Rodman blames Mayor Greg Fischer and elected officials for asking officers to back down in dangerous situations, saying crimes are being committed daily in the name of protests that would not be tolerated otherwise.
“Shame on you for using the police officers as scapegoat for your failings and cowardice,” Rodman said.
Officers previously walked out on Fischer when he came to roll call June 3. FOP President Ryan Nichols said the walkout was not planned, but said he believed it was a direct result of officers feeling "unsupported and disrespected" by the mayor.
Rodman says officers are leaving or retiring due to current conditions, and the department is well on its way to being understaffed. On June 5, LMPD said rumors that many officers were leaving due to protests are not true, but did say officers have worked 12 days in a row without rest.
Todd Kessinger, who spent 25 years working as a firefighter and police officer in Louisville, said city leaders have turned their backs on the police department and the citizens of Louisville are going be the ones hurt.
“They’re in an unwinnable situation, they can work, they can’t do the job they need to do, and the citizens are going to be the ones who pay when crime explodes, and it will. It will go up,” Kessinger said.
Rodman is asking what calls the silent majority to become vocal and let their elected officials know that they believe in these officers.
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