COOKEVILLE'S TARNISHED SHIELDS

The city of Cookeville is now struggling with the allegation that some of
its law enforcers have abused their positions and sold their services to
people they believed were drug dealers.

As disheartening as the story of "Operation Tarnished Shield" is to the
public, it is particularly wrenching to the law enforcers around this state
whose effectiveness depends on maintaining the public's trust.

Eight individuals were arrested on Tuesday after a three-year federal-state
effort to wipe out corruption in Cookeville. Those arrested include two
Cookeville police officers, Reno Martin and Jason Blythe, former Algood
officer Steven Bert Williamson, and former Putnam County jail officer
Gregory Dale Scott.

In 2002, the feds planted an undercover agent in Cookeville who assumed the
identity of a drug trafficker. Those arrested this week were charged with
moving drugs across the region and laundering the drug money.

This would be a maddening story if the police officers were charged with
abetting any kind of criminal activity. The fact that drug trafficking was
at the heart of the sting makes it particularly difficult to accept.

Police officers have first-hand knowledge of the destruction that drugs can
cause in a home, in a community, in an individual. Collectively,
Tennessee's sheriffs and police officers lobby each legislative session for
stronger laws with which to fight drug dealers and better resources to keep
kids from ever trying drugs. Every day across this state, police officers
work with schools, youth groups and civic clubs to prevent illegal drug use.

The story out of Cookeville undoubtedly has people all over Tennessee
asking if a similar sting would have similar results in their communities.
They should be assured that most police are committed to public service,
not to personal selfishness. The best way to telegraph that message is to
give "Operation Tarnished Shield" the highest level of cooperation.