Telling the Good Guys From the Bad Guys in Atlanta
Reading this Atlanta Journal Constitution story revealing that more than half of the city’s police academy graduates used marijuana, and a third of them have criminal records, two thoughts occur to me.
First is the hypocrisy of a situation in which some people use marijuana and get arrested while others use marijuana but go on to lead productive lives – as police officers for heavens sake. Who decides which fate befalls a particular marijuana user? If marijuana use isn’t terrible enough to disqualify a person from the responsibilities of law enforcement, including the responsibility to arrest marijuana users, then how much sense does it make to arrest marijuana users in the first place?
The second is that these candidates are apparently making the cut because the city, desperate to increase the size of its force, has lowered its standards – at least in the minds of city officials. But what if the responsible, adult use of marijuana weren’t a crime? What if its manufacture and sale were regulated like alcohol rather than controlled by often-violent criminals? Atlanta’s need for law enforcement would almost certainly decrease, and they could recruit fewer, higher-quality officers to pursue violent crimes.
Actually, that reminds me of a third, terrible thought: Does lowered standards mean more bad cops on the street? The job is too important, and the consequences of making mistakes are too dire. Atlantans ought to recall the shooting of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston two years ago next month by narcotics officers who mistakenly raided her house and then planted marijuana on her to try to cover their tracks.
We don’t need more bad cops, and we don’t need to waste good cops’ time chasing marijuana users – especially if they’re marijuana users themselves.
Tagged with: drug war and drug warriors and law enforcement and raids and victims by the author
5 comments
I’ve lived in Atlanta for over ten years, and have dealt with the cops around here pretty frequently. Most of them are nice folks just like you and me, but there are more than a few “good ole boys with guns” out there who want to hassle you just cause they’ve had a bad day.
Frankly I’m still pretty nervous around Atlanta cops for the most part, even though in the city Pot is pretty much overlooked because the cops have a lot more important things to deal with. But venture anywhere into the surrounding suberbs and cops are something to be feared. Anything from a wrong turn to going slightly over the speed limit will get you a fine, and they’d be more than happy to give you a lengthy criminal record for a small amount of the green on ya.
So I totally agree with the above statement, anything that would stop me shaking in my boots whenever I see the “old bill” in my rear view would be a blessing to my blood pressure!
The raid on Kathryn Johnson’s apartment was hardly a mistake. The police officers investigating planted evidence to get a warrant for the raid. The cops made everything up and broke into her apartment and killed her. http://www.theagitator.com/2007/04/30/kathryn-johnston-timeline/
I agree with your post otherwise. The difference between those who have long term consequences from marijuana and those that don’t is the former get caught.
Erik is 100% correct – it’s a little easier in the city but woe be unto you if you travel to the ‘burbs with cannabis. Deputy Jim Crow will use any excuse to arrest you and seize your property, especially in north metro. The Duluth PD has gone mad with asset forfeiture, they will steal your car over a couple of seeds – don’t ask how I know that:)
The AJC is often little better than toilet paper, anyway, but just last weekend they ran an article touting new “roving Interstate drug teams.” Apparently, funding is running out as the government deficit increases, so they are taking to profiling drivers in order to stop, search and seize. How else will they make money? Not a mention of any violations of civil liberties in the article, either.
As for hiring cops who used to smoke, I have a neighbor who works for Forsyth County SD, and he confiscates cannabis only to turn it over to his wife who suffers from chronic pain from a car wreck. I don’t think he, his wife, or anyone else who smokes should be criminalized. I’d much rather see people smoking than drinking alcohol…
END THE WAR ON (some) DRUGS NOW!!!
[...] Project Author: Dan Bernath Copyright: 2008 Marijuana Policy Project Contact: Contact MPP Website: Telling the Good Guys From the Bad Guys in Atlanta __________________ 420 Magazine News Team Creating Cannabis Awareness Since 1993 [...]
Well the way I look at it half of the City of Atlanta Police are bad cops . One of them is Tony Singh but his wife Kelly smoked some pot with me and other people in the past .
Leave a Comment