I am responding to Charles McHugh’s letter on the MSU police (“Police presence was offensive,” SN 10/25). I am disappointed that such a high ranking member of this fine university should be so blind as to miss the police officers that were all around the Auditorium for both the Ralph Nader rally and the MSNBC television show “Hardball with Chris Matthews.”

They were present at both events just as they are for all major events that occur at the Auditorium or any other major meeting place for students, faculty and the general public.

I am also saddened by his implying that MSU police are racist, which is unfounded, especially in light that the Department of Police and Public Safety is one of the most diverse and friendliest departments I have ever had the pleasure to interact with in my time in the Lansing area or any other community I have lived in. Police should be congratulated for their dedication to protecting the students of this university every day. I for one thank the MSU police for the hard work they perform every day to make this campus safer for all of us.

John Coleman
criminal justice junior