So far, it’s a case without names. An investigation into narcotics trafficking inadvertently opened a window on a much broader corruption problem, and one that is arguably more serious; for while cops dealing drugs is a very bad thing, making traffic summonses issued for moving violations disappear exposes the public to dangerous drivers.

It is not clear if any of the officers under investigation received bribes or gifts for fixing tickets.

“From what I understand, it was taking care of friends, basically,” a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said. “Friends and relatives.”

The official who was briefed said that fixing tickets “is a way of delegates to maintain their status or popularity with the police officers they represent.”

As always, this systemic corruption shows that there is a problem with the system. Law enforcement officers aren’t getting the message that they and theirs will be held to a higher standard of conduct.

Drop me a line at rjk@dailyblague.com
This entry was posted on Monday, April 18th, 2011 at 10:30 am.