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Gov. Cop Out

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2009

It is too bad Gov. Charlie Crist didn't have the grit to veto a measure that will make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to get rid of abusive officers.

Crist signed an expansion of the "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights." It currently requires that an officer accused of misconduct be informed of all the names of accusers. The accused must be provided witness statements before being interviewed by internal affairs. Officers are given every opportunity to craft a response to the accusation.

But thanks to the legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Fasano of Pasco County and signed by Crist, the already indulgent law will be extended so that officers under investigation will be given not just testimony but all other evidence, including recordings and GPS history. It was such information that the Tampa Police Department used to build a case against officers accused of billing hours they didn't work. Three retired, and one was fired.

The measure also allows officers to seek the appointment of a review panel if they think investigators have violated their rights.

All this is going to make it awfully hard to discipline bad cops. And the public will pay the price when arrogant or lazy officers are kept on the jobs.

Crist is nicknamed "Chain Gang Charlie" because of his tough law enforcement stands. But this time he is helping put handcuffs on law enforcement agencies.

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