Do corrupt cops deserve more compassion than regular folks?

Here is an LTE I just penned to the Mobile Press-Register about the cops arrested on drug charges. I hope that you will write one too.

Dear Editor,

I read with anger the stories of two Mobile police officers being arrested for drug possession ("Officers arrested on drug charges" 02/07 and "Details emerge" 02/08). I wasn't angry because the cops were arrested, as they most certainly were worthy candidates for that. I was angry because of the kid-glove treatment they received vs. the treatment received by the non-badge-wearing guy on the street arrested for doing the same thing.

For instance Chief Phillip Garrett's comment, "Garrett said there was no indication that Brooks and Porter had used drugs or sold them."

So, what exactly were these fine men in blue doing with the drugs and money they seized? Holding onto them for a medical emergency? Stocking up for the coming recession perhaps? Anyone else caught with crack cocaine and money would have been labeled a 'dealer'. They would also have lost their jobs and their pay. However these two cops were suspended WITH PAY.

In the second story Chief Garrett said, "We do have compassion for them."

What about compassion for the people who succumb to temptation that don't wear a badge? Where is the compassion for the regular folks caught doing the same thing? Are corrupt cops more worthy of compassion than regular people? A regular black man found with 'less than an ounce of crack and $360 in cash' would likely have been tasered, tackled and hauled to jail. I noted there was no tasering or tackling with these arrests. No Drug Task force kicked in these officers' doors at 3 a.m. using a no-knock warrant and flash-bang grenades. Must be nice to have the police have compassion for you.

I don't normally advocate jail for drug offenses, but I do when it involves corrupt cops being found with the drugs that they have arrested and jailed other people for. I wonder how many drug cases they have testified in resulting in imprisonment for others? I do hope that any cases involving testimony from these true thug gang members will be given a thorough second look. And I hope these cops get placed in general population for a long, long time. They need a taste of their own medicine.

Respectfully Submitted for publication,
Loretta Nall