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I've been a police officer for the last several years, I've worked in the big city as well as the small town off of the interstate. I've seen 'em come and I've seen 'em go. The ONE thing I can not tolerate is a 'bad' cop.

Unfortunately, hiring practices vary throughout the country, even the world. Psychological evaluations sometimes help out, but they are not the begin all and end all of any screening process. Furthermore any combination of testing, evaluation, or interviewing is not fool proof.

Police Officers are hired on by folks who are just like anyone else, they wake up every morning, have their version of breakfast, go to work, clock in, and begin their day of 'work'. They make mistakes too. They make hiring decisions based on what is sitting in front of them and hope that they've made the right choices.

After all of this training, and observation, what is put out on the 'street' is what is expected to be a thorougly trained, and professional law enforcement officer.

These people are charged with serving and protecting their local community, county, and or state.

The problem is that even with all the training, the Agency still does not KNOW what this person is really like, deep down in the inner recesses of that person's heart. Some are striving to be true keepers of the peace. Others are not.

It's the 'others' I am referring to.

These 'others' get through everything, think they've 'made it', and go on out to work. They get a badge and a gun, and suddenly they are better than everyone else, above the law you might say.

Like most 'new' cops the 'others' get 'big badge syndrome'. Unlike most, they never get it through their head that the badge is small, and they cannot hide behind it for any form of protection.

Eventually, the 'others' are found out and either quit or are lost to their own deceits. It's the remnants of the remaining 'others' that need to be ferreted out.

This is where the citizen comes into play. When you are wronged, you should report it. If you are violated, you should report it. When your feelings get hurt, suck it up: chances are you are just a whiner.

Reporting a 'bad' cop doesn't always solve the problem, however it does bring some attention to the matter. If enough people report a 'bad' cop something will have to be done with that person. If you've reported it and feel as though you're being overlooked, then go higher than the person you reported it to. Keep going until you are finally satisfied.

If the 'bad' cop violates you, chances

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