CREDIBILITY OF POLICE SUFFERS

Let me first state that I live in rural Erie County and do not
personally know any Erie police officers. But what I have to say
should pertain to any police anywhere.

A policeman or policewoman should be held to a higher level of
accountability when he or she is accused of breaking the law. The
policeman who is accused of stealing drugs from the evidence locker
first broke the law the first time he used dope. If anybody should
know better, a 22-year veteran should.

Then to steal anything from where he works is bad enough, but to
steal drugs and risk compromising cases against drug dealers is
inexcusable.

Instead of being in jail with other drug users, he is getting full
pay while in rehab. He was caught on tape. There is little doubt of
his guilt.

The sentencing range for any policeman or policewoman caught breaking
the law should be at least half again or double that of anybody else.

When we were raising our three kids, we told them if they ever needed
help, they could trust a policeman. Now all across the country we are
seeing more and more that this isn't true.

The bad thing is most cops are good and courageous, but because of a
few bad ones, they taint our respect for all.

Perry Cornman

Union City