Marylands' Anne Arundel County police officers question 'Fraternal Order of Police' donation to legal defense fund of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson

Story by WMAL-TV Baltimore, Md.
Written by Barry Simms

MILLERSVILLE, Md. —Some black police officers in Anne Arundel County expressed shock over a decision by the Fraternal Order of Police to donate to the legal defense fund of a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson who shot an unarmed Black teen Michael Brown, sparking a firestorm across the country.

In response to that concern, the president of FOP Lodge 70 explained to 11 News why the FOP decided to make that donation.

Some of the officers are asking that the organization step back and reconsider, saying they weren't notified about the donation and think it was wrong to make it.

Calling this a heightened time of sensitivity caused by the shooting death of an unarmed Black teenager Mike Brown by a White officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, some of Anne Arundel County's black police officers are speaking out.

"I police in this county. I've been working in this county for years, and it's very shocking to me that our FOP would give a donation to an inflammatory situation like this. It is just not the time and it is not the place for it," Anne Arundel County police Cpl. Kam Cooke said.

Many of the officers stand in solidarity, wondering why FOP Lodge 70 sent a $1,070 donation to the legal defense fund of Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson.

Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/anne-arundel-county-police-officers-question-fop-donation/27722056#!bKoWUq

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/anne-arundel-police-union-donation-to-ferguson-officer-sparks-controversy/2014/08/23/fd435ef8-2af2-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Anne-Arundel-County-Police-Union-Donates-to-Darren-Wilsons-Online-Defense-Fund-272297081.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/55916136#.U_x8hGOZiSo