A scumbag cop confesses

Thats just what law enforcement everywhere needs is a crooked cop. Glad thy caught him. What does everyone think about not letting municipalities keep traffic enforcement revenues? I know it probably helps pay overtime and such but it also leaves many citizens wondering about police doing things like this just to raise money. How many speed traps are set with the goal of raising funds and not with saving lives ? I'm not slamming law enforcement. My own father was a policeman in a small town and when I was a kid I stayed at the department with him sometimes. I used to know all of the local police by name and they were fine men. That's what bothers me about this. As long as traffic enforcement is used as a revenue source, in my opinion it creates a general feeling among the public that it's being done for the money.

I used to have enormous respect for law enforcement personal. As I have aged and become a senior citizen I see more and more unacceptable behavior by and a militarization of law enforcement. I do not like it at all and I think it is the duty non law enforcement citizens to stand up to our government authorities that allow this and say no more!! The politicians and the civil servants are our employees not our rulers or masters.

We must be organized and write old fashioned hard copy letters to our politicians in large numbers to let them know how we feel.

If the elected officials don't respond positively the answer is to vote the bums out and replace them with people that understand the proper role of government and law enforcement.

I hear what you are saying DoubleTap, but in the post-9/11 world, the increased militarization of the police is almost a foregone conclusion. Not saying I agree with it, but not much chance of turning back the tide. Most people want protection from terrorist attack and are willing to let the police get equipped-up and trained-up for it.

I can understand and accept the "militarization " in certain circumstances such as hostage situations, warrants served for known violent criminals and other distinct situations. My beef is this. There are three groups of people. One is the civilians, one is law enforcement, and the other is the bad guys. It seemss to me it's all three against each other. Citizens wil not cooperate with law enforcement with reporting crime or giving up information because of ill feelings towards cops. Cops see civilians as potential threats because who among the civilians are the "good guys"? Unless the civilians and law enforcement trust and work together then the situation is ripe for the success of the bad guys.

So how does all of this relate to traffic tickets? When the only connection the civilians have with law enforcement is to get a ticket for going 5 mph over the limit or having a SWAT team bust into the wrong address, then the relationship is not going to be positive. These are not just thought up examples but real situations I have seen occur in the small town where I live. I have also seen several articles about cities and municipalities stepping up enforcement of minor traffic violations to generate revenues to replace from lost government funding. I am not against traffic enforcement especially against driving under the influence and texting while driving or against real speeding. All I think needed in traffic enforcement is common sense and NEVER even suggest to your officers that the city or county councils need revenue so get busy writing tickets.

To end this on a positive note, the local police chief just within the last month has assigned foot patrols downtown to establish better relations with business owners and shoppers. It has been very positive. Businesses are now working with a network to report small crime like shop lifting to each other as well as the police and citizens are getting personal contact with officers with each side building trust. It can no longer be a US AGAINST THEM mentalitiy. Any time that happens the bad guys win. Citizens should not be looke at as all potential violators of the law. Cops can no be looked as as people on a power trip. The relationship must be law enforcement and citizens vs the bad guys. Only then can we win.

There is good and bad in every kind!
This kind of behavior is being duplicated all over; Even in the Churches where we would think it should not!
We have allowed the lowering of the moral fence by accepting what many call "my business" when someone goes against a Spiritual answer for the problems we face;
What man does will always affect other men; I am my brother's keeper.
The correction of this issue begins at home as we train up our Children!!!
Let us do less talking about it and more talking to the next generation;
This is the hope that we should rely on; GOD!!!!

Perfectly said. Put it in God's hands and do his will and leave it to him. If everybody did that then we all would do what is right and the rest would take care of itself. No schemes, no disobedience to the laws and we would support each other rather than trying to take advantage of each other.

Thanks for getting to the real root of the problem.

And not just for traffic tickets. They call it testilying. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testilying

I suppose it's something to keep in mind when serving jury duty in a criminal case.

That's why we have jury nullification

Some prosecutor gave in when he shouldn't -- no way is $17,000 worth three misdemeanors. Should have combined the three counts and come up with a felony.

I approve of this post!

This type of thing happens all the time. Law enforcement officials, court personnel, and atttorneys often work together to get the results they want.

I agree and that could easily be extended to the financial and banking industry. Look at the mess the nation is in. Everyone effected by the lack of ethics.

There's dishonesty and scumbags in every profession.

I couldn't agree with you more, they are traits of all humanity.

Driving in DC really sucks; parking is worse!

Certainly not all policemen are rotten, and also not all are on the proper side of the law either.

I have personally heard a detective tell a patrol officer to write a ticket for "Either a marked lane or no turn signal. Either one will work." This was for a traffic stop without a probable cause.

On facebook, I've seen a photo of a very large customized pickup truck, and a policeman commented "That's rolling probable cause".

So yes, violating the constitution is rampant all over.

And I do notice that more and more police departments have uniforms that are much more para-military looking than what I remember growing up with what police-officer's uniform looks like.
A police state? Not yet, but it's a lot closer.

I have been on jury duty a few times. The eye opener was the time I was on "Grand Jury"
I have seen the police testify and it made my wonder about their honesty.
When you see and hear two or three homicide detectives testify and there is not one word of difference in all of them. It makes you wonder if it was well rehearsed.
Some of their stories were so far off we had to not find evidence.
there is good and honest people in every group. But it takes only one or two liars to make you wonder just who is telling the truth.
Sorry to ramble but I can't abhor liars.