The Dark Side of the (police) Force

The concept of the media, including citizen's media, as a watchdog is usually applied to politicians and the military. It also, unfortunately, must occasionally be put to use regarding the police. The vast majority of police officers in our country are still heros, putting their lives on the line to keep us safe and secure in our homes. Sadly, the kind of power the police weild leaves them open to some of the worst sorts of abuse and corruption when you get a bad apple in the barrel and people need to be vigilant regarding such anomalies. Maxim magazine has an article this month which points out some of the very worst abuses by police officers gone bad in 2005. (The web link is for subscribers only, but I'll provide links to supporting MSM stories for each where possible.)

Christopher Green and George Miller; Houston Police Dept

After arresting a 25-year-old woman for DWI, Green hit pervert pay dirt: Her cell phone contained nude self-portraits she’d taken with the phone’s camera, so the cop downloaded them into his own collection and proceeded to show them off to all his homeys. His oversight? His homeys were law enforcement officials. “Green went around showing fellow officers, court officials, and prosecutors,” explains Ned Gill, the woman’s lawyer. As if that weren’t bad enough, Miller called the woman a few weeks after the arrest and asked her out on a date.

Result? The cops in question were fired, but there doesn't seem to be any record of attempts to prosecute them. It's hard to imagine a civilian walking away from that with no charges.

Daniel William Hiers Jr.; Charleston, South Carolina

Hiers, 32, was a model son who didn’t drink, smoke, or curse. In other words, he was an obvious psycho. Using his abundant charm, he befriended a nine-year-old girl at a karate school in 2003, and by fall 2004 he was being accused of molesting her. Hiers was arrested, and then things got worse: Police found the body of his 24-year-old wife, who had been shot in the head.

Result? Hiers has fled from justice, is suspected of hiding out in Canada, and is on the US Marshal's top fifteen most wanted list. Still at large. They really need to find this guy.

Shawn Pringle; Jacksonville, Florida

Don’t let the delicious-sounding name fool you—Pringle is accused of sexually assaulting several women. The 35-year-old cop allegedly preyed upon a variety of people, including informants, a woman he stopped for speeding, and a stripper. In one case Pringle denied having sex with a woman who accused him of raping her while she was having her period—but then admitted to consensual sex when a bloody towel was found at the scene.

Result? Currently free on one half million dollar bond, but there is still no trial date. Convenient, eh?

Thomas Pfortmiller; Topeka, Kansas (What the hell is wrong with Kansas?)

If you’re going to break the law, you may as well go all out. Pfortmiller, 40, was charged with a whopping 100 felonies and misdemeanors. The officer took $20,000 in department funds that were supposed to be used in drug sting operations. Thing is, the supposed drug buys never actually happened, because the cop used the money to feed his gambling problem. Dozens of suspects in cases he had worked had to be set free because the drug evidence mysteriously went missing.

Result? A series of plea bargains got him down to 50 felony counts for which he was sentenced to sixteen months (?!?) in the county jail. He must have had a heck of a lawyer.

Gerald Jenkins; Iberville Parish, Louisiana

It’s not a good idea to steal from cops—they carry guns and have a tendency to solve crimes. Jenkins, a 20-year police veteran, no doubt knew this when he and his cousin allegedly sneaked into headquarters last July. According to published reports, the duo stole party supplies—money, drugs, and guns—and then apparently intended to torch the place, as the crime scene was found doused in gasoline. It seems they couldn’t figure out how matches work, though—nothing burned.

Result? Arrested and awaiting trial. Time will tell.

These are the kind of sad stories which come about when cops abuse their power and authority for their own illicit ends. While it's unpleasant to report stories like these, it still serves as a reminder that someone always has to be watching the watchers. Power corrupts, and police officers are human like the rest of us.