TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Giving Bad Cops Extra Protections

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

Legislation to extend law enforcement officers' "bill of rights" should be called the "Keep Bad Cops Employed Act." If adopted, it will be virtually impossible for police and sheriff departments to cleanse miscreants from their ranks.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mike Fasano of Pasco and Rep. Paige Kreegel of Punta Gorda, may delight police unions but will undermine law enforcement and make the public vulnerable to abusive officers.

Officers already enjoy extraordinary - and unjustified - protections. During disciplinary investigations, they must be informed of all the names of complainants, and they must be provided witness statements before they are interviewed by internal affairs officers. This makes it possible for officers who committed offenses to craft their story according to the accusations. No other citizen enjoys such rights.

But this is not enough for the unions or Fasano and Kreegel. Their measure would require that the officer under investigation be provided not only all testimony, but also all other evidence, including video and audio recordings and GPS information relating to the offense prior to being interviewed.

If the department makes the slightest technical mistake in pursuing the investigation, the legislation would require the officer to be reinstated to his former position. Evidence unrelated to that mistake still could not be used.

The legislation would not only make it easy for the officer to get off on a technicality but would allow the individual to seek compensation. All this is clearly designed to discourage departments from investigating its ranks.

The legislation is a threat to responsible law enforcement. Lawmakers should reject it.

If they don't, Gov. Charlie Crist should veto it.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT