Maryland Officers Oppose Local Union's Donation to Darren Wilson's Defense
"While we appreciate the support that the union offers to officers in need, there comes a time where leaders must take a step back and look at the totality of their decisions," wrote Cpl. Kam Cooke, a bike patrol officer and acting president of Anne Arundel's Black Police Officers Association.
A group of African-American police officers in Anne Arundel County said Monday they were "shocked" by their union's donation to a white Missouri police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teen.
In a letter to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 70, which represents Anne Arundel's rank-and-file police, the officers blasted the decision to donate to a fund for Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson, Mo., police department, the Baltimore Sun reports.
"While we appreciate the support that the union offers to officers in need, there comes a time where leaders must take a step back and look at the totality of their decisions," wrote Cpl. Kam Cooke, a bike patrol officer and acting president of Anne Arundel's Black Police Officers Association.
The FOP sent a $1,070 donation last week to an online fundraising campaign for Wilson, who fatally shot Michael Brown during a confrontation in the St. Louis suburb earlier this month. The shooting sparked days of protests.
Cooke said members of the union were not notified before the donation was made.
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