Our
view
Police
corruption intolerable
The
duty of protecting citizens and ensuring
peace within the community is a tremendous
responsibility the people of the United
States have entrusted to the police department
and, ultimately, leaders in government.
But over the past few years, extreme
examples of corruption and abuses of
power have eroded the relationship between
the police and the people they’ve
sworn to protect.
No longer is the role of a police officer a position of respect, but one often
met with fear — even hate — and, to many, this is a huge problem.
A recent example of police behavior that has contributed to the negative perception
many people have towards law enforcement is that of Officer Edward B. Zamora,
who according to the Los Angeles Times was not reprimanded in any way even
after being convicted in two civil lawsuits by people he had planted evidence
on and wrongly sent to jail. Only recently, after an ethics investigation prompted
by several civilian complaints, was Zamora suspended.
The actions taken by Zamora and other renegade police officers have the potential
to be absolutely ruinous not only to the lives of the people they victimize,
but to their families as well.
The recent gubernatorial race and upcoming Democratic primary should serve
as a perfect outlet for candidates to voice outrage and concern over these
egregious lapses in morality, if for no other purpose than to get more votes.
Most people would agree, regardless of party affiliation, that the image of
law enforcement has become extremely negative and the corruption, which seems
to be increasingly prevalent, must stop. Rather than engage in the evasive,
skate-the-issue manner politicians often use when addressing a dicey topic,
the gubernatorial candidates should publicly voice their concern.
It is important that those in government attempt to resolve this issue. Not
only will it improve their own image and the image people have of authority
figures, but it will allow police departments to function more effectively.
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