Representatives with the Police Benevolent Association held a news conference a day after the arrest of former Palm Beach Gardens police officer Nouman Raja.
"We will vigorously defend each charge. The PBA stands firmly behind him with full support," said John Kazanjian of the Florida Police Benevolent Association. "Officer Raja identified himself as a police officer before approaching the vehicle."
"We’re just disappointed in the state attorney's office," said Kazanjian.
The association also expressed they are concerned about Raja receiving a fair trial in Palm Beach County.
"This is just a tragedy on both sides. It's broken two families. I know right now they want justice, but right now I feel that Nouman Raja was doing his job that night," said Kazanjian.
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The association released the following statement:
This is certainly a tragic situation that has affected everyone involved. However, it is very upsetting that a police officer, met by a subject who points a firearm at him, is not legally allowed to defend himself while in fear for his life.
The probable cause affidavit, although consistent with some of the statements made that evening, doses not tell the full story.
Officer Raja reported for duty on October 18th with no intent to harm anyone, but with full intent to do his job and protect the community.
Officer Raja was a probationary officer on his probationary period, having been employed as an officer for only 6 months. Yet, he was placed on undercover duty, in an unmarked vehicle without a blue light, by his own Agency.
We will vigorously defend each charge. The PBA stands firmly behind him with our full support.
We have spoken with many detectives who have 35 years of experience in homicide, and none of them has ever seen a charge like this -- attempted first degree murder, when a party is deceased.
Is Raja being punished for being a policeman?
Do we want law enforcement officers to hesitate before they do their jobs? If a policeman has to be afraid to go out on his/her tour of duty to do their job, then the alternative is chaos.
I have been in gunfights. These are split second life or death situations, where the police officer's perception is number one. As Officer Raja told investigators on the night of the incident, Officer Raja identified himself as a police officer before approaching the vehicle.
