LeBron James Is Sent Open Letter By LAPD Officer Asking For Sit-Down To Discuss Policing

Deon Joseph, a black officer with the Los Angeles Police Department who has spent the last 20 years working in the city’s infamous Skid Row area, wrote a letter to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. He’s asking James to it down with him to discuss policing.

Last week, James controversially tweeted out a photo of the Columbus, Ohio police officer who shot Ma’Khia Bryant.

It was later revealed that the cop effectively had no choice but to shoot Bryant, as she had been about to stab another girl. 

“YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY,” James tweeted alongside the image of the cop.

Fox News reported that he later deleted the tweet after saying it was being used to “create more hate.”

Related: Watch Real Cops Troll NBA Star LeBron James – These Videos Are Going Viral

Police Officer Reaches Out To LeBron James

Deon Joseph, a 24-year veteran of the LAPD, took to Facebook on Sunday to post an open letter to James. He wrote that LeBron’s views on policing are “off base and extreme.” 

The letter starts: 

Related: Fraternal Order Of Police Tells LeBron James To ‘Educate Himself’ After ‘Disgraceful’ Anti-Cop Tweet

In the letter, Officer Joseph points out how much LeBron James does not understand.

“Your tweet that targeted a police officer in Ohio who saved a young woman’s life was irresponsible and disturbing,” Joseph wrote to James. “It showed a complete lack of understanding of the challenge of our job in the heat of a moment. You basically put a target on the back of a human being who had to make a split second decision to save a life from a deadly attack.”

“Instead of apologizing, you deflected,” the seasoned police officer continued. “You said you took your tweet down because you did not want it to be used for hate, when the tweet itself was the embodiment of hatred, rooted in a lack of understanding of the danger of the situation.”

Joseph Can Relate To James In Some Ways

Joseph went on to say that he can empathize with James in some ways. He also hates actual police misconduct and is tired of black people dying.

However, he wanted to make it clear that this does not mean that LeBron James should be shaming the vast majority of police officers who are just trying to help others. 

“But you cannot paint 800,000 men and women who are of all races, faiths, sexual orientations and are also mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, preachers, coaches, community members and just human with such a broad and destructive brush,” Joseph explained. 

“Unlike some who have dug their heals in the belief that police are inherently evil, I think if you yourself actually sat down and had a real honest and open conversation with a cop, there is a strong chance you may discover we are not the monsters you have come to believe we are, who deserve the hate and distain you have,” he added. 

Officer Joseph Concludes His Letter

Joseph concluded by saying that moving forward, police officers and communities must come together to “build bridges to save lives on all sides.” 

“The offer is on the table Lebron. No cameras. No fanfare,” Joseph said. “Just two men who care talking. I know it’s a long shot. But this division and hatred must stop.”

Last year, Officer Joseph spoke with David Nasser at Liberty University’s Convocation. This video gives you background on this officer and his special place in his community, you can skip ahead to the 7:41 minute mark to jump right in:

At the time of this writing, James has yet to respond to Joseph’s letter, which has quickly gone viral. Even though LeBron James is not currently playing ball, the sit-down probably wouldn’t happen until after the Lakers season.

Given James’ radically liberal and “woke” views about politics and police, it is unlikely that he will take up his offer. We’ll follow up and let you know if it happens.