by Karen Moore

Created on: June 03, 2008

The actions of police officers reflect on every other uniform across the country. A ripple reaction happens when officers cross the line and abuse their authority. Citizens can help weed out those officers that give all officers a black eye if they report actions of officers that cross that line.

The tragic beating of Rodney King happened states away from where I worked as a patrol officer, but for years after the incident I had to alleviate fears (some legitimate, some blown out of proportion) for what those officers did. Necessary media exposure of the rotten apples sours the taste for all officers. Those that fight the good fight every day deserve help in getting rid of problem officers before the situation ends up on national television, such as corruption and ethical issues that came out of the Rampart scandal.

Police departments that strive to uphold the trust instilled in them count on their communities to report bad officers. Documentation is needed to build a case to dismiss an officer that is a problem. This procedure, while often confidential, is not ignored by the majority of department supervisors and government officials that take pride in what they do.

Complaints from the public, if made, may alert a department to a potential bigger problem with an officer. There are many resources available to get the officer back on track if the issues are minor and if all resources are exhausted then the officer can be dismissed. Reports of problems that violate department policy can result in a number of disciplinary measures, from an oral reprimand to suspension with or with out pay to termination. Serious violations of law committed by an officer should not be tolerated by any agency, but may never come to the attention of supervisors without a conscious public that will report the matter to a watch commander.

Training officers may see a potential problem with a new recruit but may not be able to obtain the necessary documentation, so the recruit makes it through the program. When citizens report bad officers that officer may still be under a probationary period and that complaint may be all that is necessary to terminate the officer. This may save a future filled with headaches and tragedies left by someone that is not cut out to be in law enforcement.

Many talk about the brotherhood of police officers, but the majority would rather have a brotherhood they can be proud of not ashamed of. Those that step on the honor of all by their actions need to be working in another profession and it is normally the public they step on. Speak up and assist others in your community, help officers across this country bring law enforcement back to a profession everyone can be proud of.

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