How does Dr. King feel about the police?

In the final section of the letter, Dr. King notes that he would like to make one final answer to the clergymen’s complaint. He notes that they had “warmly commended” the Birmingham police in their statement, for having kept “order” and for “preventing violence” (184).

First, Dr. King implies the clergymen are ignorant of what actually happened. He notes how the police sicced dogs on nonviolent protestors, how they have mistreated their prisoners, how they have pushed and cursed old women and young girls, and other atrocities.

He admits that the police have publicly exercised some “discipline” in arresting SCLC protestors. And yet he insists that this “discipline” was used in the service of “the evil system of segregation.” He insists that a discerning man should distinguish between means and ends. Even if the police used admirable, non-violent means, they did so for the sake of vicious, unjust ends. Dr. King believes this is among the worst offenses (184).