Ex-deputy police chief should get probation for drug conviction

I disagree with Ala Taylor (letter June 12) that former Deputy Police Chief Keith Foster should be sent to prison; it would serve no purpose. He is not a violent criminal and has no previous criminal record and is not a danger to society.

After all, no one got hurt but Mr. Foster himself by making a bad decision that cost him his job and the trust of the community he served for over 30 years as a police officer. Nobody is perfect; we all make mistakes and deserve second chances. Police work is a dangerous occupation because they risk their lives everyday and Mr. Foster risked his life everyday for 30 years fighting crime.

With all he has been through with this conviction, he has already paid the price and needs no more punishment. He should receive probation.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Ex-deputy police chief should get probation for drug conviction."