I Dunno... Coast Guard?

(I know SCI-FI and perhaps Wally will get the reference in the title... Anyone else?)

PISSED sends in this fantastic (in the truest sense of the word) story out of our lovely state. I heard this on the radio this morning and didn't even have a chance to research it before getting the e-mail - thanks bud!

Mass. state trooper charged with extortion

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts state trooper appeared in court on Tuesday and was charged with extortion. Police say the trooper ran a bookie operation and then threatened to kill his business partner who turned into an FBI informant.

State Trooper John M. Analetto was brought into a courtroom with handcuffs on Tuesday and was charged with extortion in connection with a gambling ring.

This report actually has more information. The report I heard on the radio was simply that the cop had loaned a gambler money and was threatening him to get the loan repaid. Originally I was sorta sympathetic to the cop - I know I've lent money out to folks and had to hound them to get it back (or write it off as an expensive lesson). Without any further information, I assumed it was an old friend/college roommate/buddy from the neighborhood that had a gambling problem and the cop was trying the "scared straight" approach - makes sense; if you go deep into debt because of your gambling addiction and start borrowing money left and right, eventually you're going to run into people with less-than-legal tactics for getting the money back...

Sadly, this was not the case. This dude was working as a bookie while an active-duty state police officer. He wasn't threatening a friend to scare him straight; he was trying to collect on debts owed him from his illegal bookmaking business. He was extorting one of his partners in the endeavor, who then turned into an informant - way to keep up that honor among thieves...

I do want to point one thing out, though:

Trooper Analetto has been suspended without pay indefinitely. The state police spokesman also said the department is eager to assist the FBI with the case.

Suspended without pay. Department cooperating with the FBI. That's rather different than the case of Officer Roid Rage over in the Canton, OH police department, where he's still in sick leave with other officers donating their sick time to him. MA State Police: Cooperate with FBI, suspend the offending officer, express strong condemnation for his actions. Canton OH PD: Circle the wagons, help their own, deny, delay, obfuscate...

When those sworn to protect and serve violate the sacred trust placed in them by their employers (the residents of the town/state where they are duly sworn), the entire system breaks down. When those tasked with enforcing the law openly flaunt it - or outright break it - it sends a clear message to those around them that laws are malleable and made to be bent or broken. This in turn makes life more difficult for those officers of the peace that do not break the law, leading to a cycle of lawlessness and general distrust that can rot a community from the inside out. It is in everyone's best interests that such breaches of public trust be fully prosecuted quickly, cleanly, and openly as possible.

Because nothing good - for either side - can come of people not trusting the agents of the law.

That is all.