After reading about the mistreatment suffered by Ian Mosley-Duffy for skateboarding at LOVE Park, I wonder when will we stop criminalizing the behavior of our children (Treatment of skaters too harsh," May 27).

A straight, articulate young athlete like him deserves more respect than what he received at the hands of two misguided police officers. Such unwarranted abuse calls into question their ability to serve and protect.

To teach our children respect for authority, we must make every effort to hold those in authority accountable for their actions. I look forward to reading the story about the investigation being conducted into this alleged misconduct of these officers and the corrective action being taken.

Mosley-Duffy deserves an apology. In the meantime, I hope he and young people like him will resist the temptation to harshly judge all those in authority by the misguided actions of a few.

Congratulations, Ian, for having the courage to speak out!