MIAMI LODGE

FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

th
710 Southwest 12 Avenue. Miami, Florida 33130
Phone (305) 854-5019
Ortiz@fopmiami.com

Javier Ortiz

Max Valdes

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

October 25, 2016

Middletown Police Department
1 Kings Highway
Middletown, NJ 07748
Sent Via Email

Dear Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger:

Its unfortunate that the ACLU is attacking you for having a ceremony that honored a Linden police officer who was
wounded in a shootout with Ahmad Khan Rahimi, who is accused of planting IEDs in Seaside Park, Elizabeth and
New York City. Your ceremony also honored first responders and the military.
As youre well aware, the ACLU is extremely supportive of individuals that are expressing their concerns with what
they consider disparities in the criminal justice system. As a representative of the Fraternal Order of Police, we
support everyones right to express themselves. I admit there are bad police officers. There are also bad doctors,
teachers, nurses and individuals that are unfit for their profession. The actions of a few must not tarnish the image
of the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers across our great nation.
I wish the ACLU would address the real frightening issue going on within the United States. Gun violence in
American cities is expected to continue to increase. Chicago is projected to surpass 700 murders by the end of the
year an increase of 46 percent from 2015. The Brennan Center predicted an increase in the national murder rate
by 13.1 percent this year from 2015, and an increase of 31.5 percent from 2014. What about the increase in
murders such as in Baltimore, Chicago, and Houston? Why arent groups concerned about the hundreds of killings
that are being committed by minorities? Why arent they taking a stand? Are those lives not important?
Its easy to take a knee. It takes a real leader to take a stand. The Fraternal Order of Police stands with you in
solidarity for honoring first responders and our military. Thank you Deputy Chief Stephen Dollinger for honoring us.

Sincerely,

Javier Ortiz
Javier Ortiz, President
Miami Fraternal Order of Police
District Six Director