After being on paid leave for 14 months, Cynthia Whitlatch (left), the cop who arrested a 69-year-old black man (below) for using a golf club as a walking cane, was fired Tuesday by Seattle police chief Kathleen O’Toole, who cited violations of department policy and Whitlatch’s inability to learn from previous disciplinary actions. Throughout the disciplinary process, Whitlatch insisted she acted properly 
and was being discriminated against because she’s white. In addition, Ron Smith, head of the Seattle police union, issued a statement claiming “Chief O’Toole caved into the enormous political pressure surrounding this case.” No wonder the public doesn’t trust the cops. O’Toole has taken a necessary first step toward turning that around by taking away Whitlatch’s badge, but there’s more work to be done.