I agree with everybody pretty much.  The crime is what he did. Where he worked or what he did for a living 10 years ago had little if anything to do with the crime.

Yes, and I think that is wrong too. I just think that what one does for a living,should not be the focus of the story.I also think that if someone from whatever profession does something wrong, or reportedly wrong-they should be given the benefit of the doubt. Trial by jury-not trial by media.

To me, it seems like they do the same thing to someone in any profession of high esteem or respect.  It makes the story more shocking.  We’ve seen headlines lately like “Teacher arrested for DUI” or “Doctor arrested for alleged sexual abuse.” 

Remember that poor teacher who was in the news for several days because he got caught soliciting sex in a make-out spot?  The story had absolutely nothing to do with children or students, and it was essentially a victimless crime, but 75% of the story revolved around where he taught, the subject he taught, and what parents at the school thought about it.  I’d say it’s not just cops who get picked on.  Anything that makes for a good headline.

And I think that is pretty much my point too,ick. Any other “crime” story,isn’t headlined with someone’s job. Nor,is it usually even a footnote. But by golly,let a cop do something, and it will be news for days. Their name and reputation dragged through the pig puddles for weeks. Simply because they ARE a cop.This happens even when it is not a cop,but an estranged RELATIVE of one. Remember the DUI story in Florida a few months back? Dude wasn’t even married to the drunk chick anymore,but the MEDIA found it necessary to smear HIS name,because of her actions. I will be glad to admit there are bad cops-just like there are crooked bankers,construction workers, lawyers, etc. But I don’t think that needs to be the “focus” of the story.jmo

I’m pretty loyal to most people lovepeace.Not just cops. Country girl thang!lol

it should be a foot note not the title of the story

Agree with you almost entirely, although I don’t see the harm in stating that he was a cop.  It’s relevant that he was recently in a position of public trust.  It’s all the same to the victim, but it’s an extra blow to society when it’s a cop (or a teacher, counselor, social worker, etc).

Rm, I’ll give you one thing- you are loyal as all get out when it comes to LE.  I think your hubby is very lucky in that regard. 

Unfortunately, I don’t think most people who do these kind of things are going to do themselves in. Would be nice,though. I think they believe they won’t get caught,that their victims won’t tell,and they can continue doing their thing-sick as it is. I also think with the justice system being as lax as it is, that really,even if they do get caught-what is the big punishment? Therapy? What a freaking joke. Like it is something that can be cured with a little talky-talk. Having your name sent around the neighborhood as a sex offender-which may or may not even be your correct address. The only ones that end up paying are the victims. That is unless laws and punishments get tougher.

I’m still not convinced that his former job is really relevant. For a child,being put in that situation is going to be scary regardless of what they do for a living.

Regarding the former cop status, I do think it’s important for us to be reminded with these stories that LE are human and, sadly, capable of even the worst crimes.  Even though MOST are heroes, a dirty cop is more dangerous than a dirty civilian. They have more power than the rest of us, and they can easily use their power to bully their victims.  It does happen.  That’s why I always question situations where things don’t look quite right. Of course, ickthus is right that’s there’s no need to question everything they do either.  They deserve the benefit of the doubt, but if you give anybody unquestioned authority, most are going to start abusing it at some point. We just have to be careful, is all.

Awful as it is, there’s no mandatory death penalty for child rape in LA or anywhere. A few states did allow it, but no one has been executed for a crime not involving murder in almost 50 years. LA did have a law allowing the death penalty for the rape of a child, but the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional about a year ago.  Obama very strongly opposed this decision, but interestingly, victim’s groups supported it.  They said allowing the death penalty made children less likely to report crimes committed by close relatives and that it made perpetrators more likely to kill their young victims (the penalty is the same anyway, and killing them prevents them from talking). 

The problem is that the people that do this sort of thing tend to not stop doing it.  So our only choice is pretty much to spend millions of dollars warehousing them in prisons to protect our children.  I think you might be on to something Bobcat with your idea that they take care of the problem for us.

Why someone would feel the need to put down, discredit, and cast aspersions upon the LEO’s every change they get? Do they see them as “the man” trying to put them down at every turn? Big brothers hangmen come to put the new world order upon them? Had a bad experience with them that left them sore or with a bad taste in there mouth? They got a spanking and now feel the uncontrollable need to spank them at every turn? Maybe this twisted thinking is what got them there in the first place or has it left them twisted? I don’t know but it is twisted and sick. Get some help with it or move into a cave-man.