Grits for Breakfast reports on another case of police corruption (covered by the Dallas News): Dallas DA reviewing cases from ‘quarterback’ of Garland drug cops
An undercover informant opened the motel room door, letting four police officers rush in for the drug bust. They quickly arrested a man who had already spent 10 years in prison for dealing dope and burglary.
It was just one of many scores for star Garland narcotics detective Dennis Morrow. But what followed the July raid was unusual: Two of the officers told their boss that Morrow’s written report about the raid misrepresented what happened – and last week, in court testimony, they swore that the inaccuracies were part of a pattern.
The District Attorney’s office is now reviewing all cases that involved Morrow’s testimony.
Unfortunately, in most cases, this kind of corruption doesn’t come to light. For many corrupt drug cops, all suspects are scum and therefore doing whatever it takes to put them away is OK, regardless of their oath, or the Constitution, or the integrity of the force. And who’s going to turn them in? The scum?
When good cops come forward, they’re not betraying a confidence, they’re being loyal to the police force, to the people they serve, and to the integrity of the rule of law. That is far more heroic than breaking down a door and busting a bad guy.
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Scott also has a solution for saving money for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice: The shortest distance to cutting 5% at TDCJ: Reduce drug penalties
I didn’t read your post yet but I just smoked a blunt to the dome and I’m as high as a kite.
Well, Elby, you should go back and read it!
That last paragraph is the reason I eagerly anticipate reading your posts, Pete. You write so eloquently the thoughts I’ve had after smoking a bong rip to the dome (sorry Elby, I gave up tobacco).
I really admire the law enforcement officers who do their job with the intent of helping people. I wish more of them had the integrity evident in the two officers in this story.
Integrity of the rule of law? Maybe if it applied to all and wasn’t for sale like everything else.
“Integrity of the rule of law? Maybe if it applied to all and wasn’t for sale like everything else.”
I have to agree with you’FILL UP A BOWL’ 😉
Seems everthing is up for sale in this country ,right down to the seat we’er all sitting on if many in congress have their way.
I say bravo to the boys in blue who spoke up. Now why dont you help us end this prohibition so more officers wont be corrupted.
Every day, Every where.
This story of Police misconduct is not “an isolated incident”, nor are the alleged perpetrators “just one bad apple”. This type of criminal behavior (and much worse) occurs every single day in every single town, city and state across our fine country. You can easily spot the source of the problems as they careen around town (at twice the legal limit) in shiny expensive Police cars we are forced to pay for, shooting dogs with glee, assaulting the innocent, the sick and the poor.
The greatest threat to our life, liberty & pursuit of happiness is an encounter with Law Enforcement. Avoid them like the plague they are if you value your freedom, your property, and your life. They are terrorists in public servant’s clothing.
See you tomorrow when it happens again.
Protect & Serve (Themselves).
When I was a member of that “gang,” I had the opportunity to bust the Mayor for DUI. Everyone said “Don’t do it!” I even had to book him myself because everyone else was afraid.
The next morning, I got a call saying ‘report to the Chief’s office ASAP.’ I knew what was afoot and, being a broadcast engineer in my off time, I called two local news desks (ABC-TV and an Indie), telling each to have a video crew meet me at City Hall.
We met and walked into the Chief’s office together. They were already rolling as I walked up, placed my dept issued revolver, ID and badge on the Chief’s desk. Then, I said to the Chief, “You and I know what this is about. I’ll let you tell them. I’ll fill in the holes after you’re finished.” Then, I walked out.
The Chief lost his job, the Mayor wasn’t re-elected and I was offered my job back, which I refused as I was already working at Johnson Space Center, back in TV.
The job just wasn’t worth the mentality I’d have to accept. PERIOD!
Action needed today!!!!!!!
Is America ready to legalize marijuana?
In California, marijuana stores legally exist to sell different varieties of pot to customers that need the drug for medical purposes. One shop, for example, pays the state some $300,000 in taxes and the federal government $500,000 in taxes. One problem: DEA could shut them down and arrest the people working and selling in the store. State and Federal laws are contradictory.
Is America ready to legalize pot, regulate it, tax it, control it the same way that alcohol is controlled by the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms or by the FDA? Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron and David Evans of the Drug Free America Foundation debated the benefits of America of legalizing marijuana for recreational as well as medical use on msnbc Monday.
http://msnbc.newsvine.com/_question/2010/03/15/4021020-is-america-ready-to-legalize-marijuana-
ezrydn: That’s one of the coolest stories I’ve ever read. You sir are now my new hero.
@Jon
No, I’m no hero. No more than I was in the Ia Drang. I’m just your common person who doesn’t swallow crap easily. Maybe it’s from my grandfather that raised me. He was concerned with one’s “Principles.” And he beat that into me, over and over. He would say, “It’s not what you do but WHY you do it.” Besides, when you see an ugly situation shaping up, use it to your own advantage.
Had I not done what I did, I would have been made out to be the bad guy, the “rogue” cop. Not this time, Bubba!
What strikes me first and foremost is the other cops are doing the right thing yes, however, the ones doing the right thing are still out there busting non-violent’s. That’s not acceptable to me. Absolutely no mercy or forgiveness will come forth from me when the drug war is over. The utter destruction and havoc that has been created and maintained is not something anyone should forget.
Yesterday on my way to the big city I passed a Highway PeeTroll doing a car search on a main interstate. I’ve witnessed this about three times now and every time it positively ruins the entire day.
Every time I see this, I want to park the car, smack the guy/gal letting the cop do the search, inform the one being raped that he didn’t have to allow search, and on and on.
(there were no other HP’s around, just one fool (the cop))
Dante.. you nailed it!
Esrydn, it’s the ordinary man of principle that is always the hero!
Hey EZ way to go man! Sounds like you I.Q. is way over that required to be cop. Sounds like your grandfather and mine had alot in common.Lucky for us.
Sad to say, I did defy my grandfather on something. He said, “Never know everything about one thing but always know something about everything.” Then, I screwed up and got a Ph.D. LOL I consider myself fortunate that I had grandparents that really cared.
Grandma lived with me at the end and before she took off, she decided to find out about cannabis herself. One of the most fun times of my life was being with her then. Imagine, 94 and NOW she wanted to go to Disneyland. LOL
After she passed, I sort of wandered. Then, THEN, I found Pete’s Couch and started meeting some good, grounded people. You guys drew me into “focus.” And it’s been a fun, yet wild, ride. I thank all of you for your participation, your kind words, your blunt words (sometimes) and being a “family” that cares.
We’re all common folk, just trying to do what’s right.