Cops Dealing With Fallout After Foster Arrest

Fresno Police Deputy Chief Keith Foster walked out of the federal courthouse this afternoon through the back doors. While he and his family are having to cope with the federal drug charge allegations, the Fresno Police Officers Association says officers on the street across the country are having to deal with it too.

While a swarm of media members waited at the front door Friday afternoon, Deputy Chief Keith Foster quickly walked from the back door of the federal courthouse to his ride. While Foster gets to go home, the fallout from his federal drug arrest is taking a toll on his profession.

"It’s truly not just a dark day for Fresno, I mean anytime anyone involved in law enforcement faces criminal allegations as a profession it hurts all of us," said Jacky Parks President of the Fresno Police Officers Association.

Parks has been the president of the Fresno Police Officers Association for more than a decade. He says the drug possesion and distribution allegations facing Deputy Chief Foster are devastating at the Fresno Police Department.

"I know him very well personally. I’ve done a few things with him off duty as well as on duty and so it’s really one of those things it’s a sad thing for all of us to see what the entire department is going through," said Parks.

The impact of Foster’s arrest isn’t just toying with the emotions of officers at the police department. It’s prompting questions from the community.

"he’s touched a lot of people in very positive ways and so I would imagine most of them are confused and sad and it’s very difficult," said Parks.

On the streets, hundreds of officers are now dealing with the challenge of a fueled mistrust in law enforcement.

"I don’t even read some of the comments on the blogs because there’s been some ridiculous statements. And again just because one person in the family may get in trouble doesn’t mean the whole family is bad," said Parks.

The Fresno Police Officers Association serves hundreds of Fresno Police Officers. The internal affairs department plans to interview Foster in the coming days and Chief Dyer says a decision on Foster’s future with the department could come as soon as next week.