RESPECT FOR THE SYSTEM IS JEOPARDIZED

Re: FHP safeguards ensure integrity, prevent abuses, letter, from Col.
Charles C. Hall, director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Jan. 4.

I have only one question for Col. Hall and all of the other members of the
Highway Patrol. What part of "to tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth, so help you God" do you not understand?

We hold law enforcement officers to a higher standard of conduct than we do
the average citizen. It is a bigger crime under the law to kill a law
enforcement officer than it is to kill your mother. Their job is "protect
and serve." Of course, "protect" does not mean to lie for you buddy on the
witness stand.

We are taught as children, and we teach our children, to trust and respect
all law enforcement officers. What we expect is the simple truth. When a law
enforcement officer breaks this standard of conduct, we lose faith and
respect for the system. If a law enforcement officer is caught lying to a
judge or lying on the witness stand, the courts should make a harsh example
of that officer. After all, if we cannot trust a law enforcement officer,
whom can we trust?

Rick L. Meredith
Tampa