Letters: Letter: Why is school cop back on the job?

I'M APPALLED that school police officer Aaron Branson was back at work as a school police officer after he was seen on video brutally beating a student at Frankford High several years ago in front of other students and teachers alike (Daily News, Oct. 29). His return, as I understand it, was a result of an arbitrator's ruling allowing his return under unspecified conditions.

First off, the arbitration process and these favorable decisions by arbitrators regarding police involvement needs to be reviewed by Congress. These arbitrators have more power than judges who are elected regarding their decision-making. It is next to impossible to appeal and overturn through the courts an arbitrator's decision. The Philly chapter of the National Action Network exposed this injustice and led the fight to have this officer fired and the charges against the young man who was beaten, Javon Thomas, dropped.

Part of the blame should rest with the District Attorney's Office, which while dropping the bogus charges lodged against Javon should have filed charges against the officer, Aaron Branson. This would have made it more unlikely this officer would have returned to the school police force if he was convicted of a crime.

In the beginning of this ordeal I wondered why DHS did not intervene and contacted them regarding this concern. I was informed that DHS could get involved if the Philadelphia police or the District Attorney's Office requested it. These offices did not do so.

If the school district was serious about keeping this officer out of the schools and away from children, then why didn't they simply say the officer violated the child-abuse code that covers every person who works around children?

Officer Branson, you have forfeited your right to work around our children. If a parent did what you did and it was reported to DHS, that parent could face charges and the removal of that child from their home. Why should there be a double standard for you? In fact because of your standing and the authority placed in you there is a higher standard expected. School Reform Commission do your job; protect our children from this child abuser!

Greg Brinkley, People United for Justice and Accountability

Nice work, Mr. Mayor

Congratulations to Mayor Nutter and his administration on a fantastic job during hurricane Sandy. His leadership helped reassure Philadelphians that all departments were coordinating their efforts and working on the same page. He was very visible during our crisis. There is nothing like competent leadership when it is time to lead.

Timothy R. Young

Philadelphia

Not racial, just sad

Re: "A Black Autumn" (letter, Oct. 26).

I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of a child being lured to her death by two other children. It is a horrible reminder and a sad reflection of what our society as become, so your letter concerns me.

It is a direct reflection of the ignorance which has also permeated our society. Other than the fact that the perpetrators and the victim were of different races, there is no evidence that this was a racially motivated crime. What we do know is that this horrible crime was committed by two monsters who should be tried, convicted, and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law.

I would suggest to you that more could be done by you in the offering of your prayers and/or contributions to the family of the victim, as opposed to inciting or projecting racist views or opinions. We should be united in our efforts to eradicate crime and violence from our society, no matter who it affects.

I would also suggest that if you, sir, are experiencing issues that are racial in nature, that you reach out to the Rev. Al Sharpton as he is an equal opportunity community activist. In the meantime I suggest you channel your anger and your thoughts into more-positive writings in the future. You will be better for it and so will we all. How much better the world would be if we thought before we acted, spoke or, in your case, wrote.

Tony Best

Sharon Hill

Just do your job, Birds

Dear DeSean Jackson and teammates:

So, you were offended by the "booing" at the game last Sunday. Allow me to educate you how the real world works. I go to work every day and am paid for the job I do. If my bosses or the clients we serve are not happy with my performance, they let me know. When I purchase an item at a store - a sweater, a TV, anything at all - with my hard-earned money, the seller affords me the opportunity to return the product if it is defective or not to my liking. I return the product and the seller returns my money or replaces the product.

We fans purchased tickets to view a defective product last Sunday and you, as one of the reasons for that defective product, have no right to tell us how to express our displeasure. We are the customers. We purchased the tickets and sat in the wind and the rain to watch you and your teammates do your jobs. During the course of that game, the entire team performed less than acceptably (to say the least) and we fans voiced our displeasure. As I recall, you received quite the reception when you were introduced at the beginning of the game. So unless you and your teammates or your boss will be refunding our money or replacing the product, you have no right to tell us what to say, when to say it or how to say it. So please, just keep your mouth shut and do the job you're paid to do - like those of us in the real world!

Lisa Belvedere

Mount Laurel, N.J.