Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “First Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s essay comes from P1 Member Joel Johnson, a deputy sheriff and FTO assigned to the patrol division with Rowan County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
By Deputy Joel Johnson
Rowan County Sheriff’s Office
With great frequency we are seeing law enforcement officers being accused of and charged with criminal offenses. While this is not a new phenomenon, it does appear that this problem has become more prominent than it has been in the past. The public is justifiably angered at law enforcement corruption. The question is often asked, “Who is policing the police?”
Is corruption among law enforcement officers increasing or, could it be that law enforcement officers are policing themselves more effectively? Civilians certainly are not the ones responsible for investigating corruption and filing criminal charges against the iniquitous officers. The “Reverends” Jackson and Sharpton certainly are not conducting investigations which lead to successful prosecutions. They appear to be more concerned with seeking publicity rather than justice.
I believe the vast majority of law enforcement officers are honest, professional, law-abiding men and women of integrity. I also believe that the increase in the discovery of corrupt officers that appears to be on the rise is actually due to the hard work and diligence of dedicated officers who wish to keep the ranks clean.
I don’t believe that corruption has increased. I firmly believe that the media give more attention to cases of alleged corruption in an effort to increase financial profit in an age when printed media revenue is declining. I also believe the media intentionally embellish incidents involving law enforcement in order to give the appearance of impropriety, thereby increasing sales revenue. Rarely does the public hear of the officer who displayed bravery by challenging a violent, out-of-control man in the subway. No, that same incident would sell more papers if the headline mentioned the possibility of the officer using excessive force on an innocent, mentally-ill minority who was “minding his own business.”
Corruption is a problem. It is unacceptable. I do not criticize the media for reporting an actual case of law enforcement corruption. I applaud them for doing so. What I do criticize them for is not reporting the entire story. Why not mention the officers who worked long hours conducting the criminal investigation on a fellow officer?
Why does the mainstream media not bring to light the desire of the overwhelming majority of officers to rid the ranks of criminals? We know the answer: money.
I think law enforcement officers are doing a fine job of policing themselves. We do not like the stain on our badges. We are more than willing to prosecute a fellow officer if he or she steps over that thin, blue line. Have faith in us. We are doing our job.
