No Special Treatment

The article (A-J, 6-14) regarding the sentence of a law officer who
stole and consumed drug evidence caused me to consider the double
standard in today's justice system. This person was placed on 10 years
probation. This is way too light for punishment! This person broke
the trust of the public. As a person in such a position, he should
have received a sentence that was not based on the possibility of harm
or of his employment. This person has no excuse for what crime he
committed. The excuse that he would be harmed if he were to be placed
in prison is wrong. What person is not harmed by being in prison?

If we are to wage a war on drugs, then why is this person not in
prison? What he did is far worse than possession of a controlled
substance. Much of today's prison population is for possession
offenses. If we allow such preferential treatment for a few, we deny
justice.

The two million-plus prison population in the U.S. is not something
to be proud of. Nor is the sentence for this person. Special treatment
of any person or group of people is wrong.

RICHARD HEARD, Wolfforth Via e-mail