A former Miami Beach cop has agreed to a plea today which will keep him out of jail. He was charged with having a fully operational clandestine marijuana laboratory containing 47 marijuana plants in his apartment. Because the number of marijuana plants was fewer than 300, the former cop was not charged with drug trafficking (a charge that would have carried a three year minimum mandatory sentence if convicted), but rather, the lesser charge of manufacturing marijuana. The former cop will be on community control (aka - house arrest) for two years followed by two years of probation. Many are shocked by the downfall of this former officer, I for one, am not.
It's not that I think cops are more likely to commit crime than are regular folks, but I do think they are as likely. There are rotten tomatoes in every profession, whether it be medical, legal, or law enforcement. That being said, it is nonetheless sad. My first grader had a couple of fine police officers visit her school last week to talk about safety. She understands that the police keep us safe, that they arrest the 'bad guys.' I dread the day that I'll have to explain to my daughter that even police officers can do bad things.
While this case understandably drew outrage from the judge and the public, these are not the only kinds of cases that should make us question the conduct of an officer. Every day, police officers conduct illegal searches in violation of a suspects fourth amendment rights. Should a police officer violating the United States Constitution cause any less outrage than when an officer violates a state statute (i.e. - cultivating marijuana)? Obviously, it should not. I look forward to the day my daughter makes the very same observation.
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