The arm of the law needs clean hands
Monticello police have made it a priority to try and sway the outcome of an election in a village where few of them vote or reside.The First Amendment is the law of the land. But if an act is lawful, does that make it necessarily wise or right?
Freedom of expression and the flow of ideas is essential to preserving liberty in a democracy. Yet, should those whose job it is to enforce justice -- the arm of the state, so to speak -- say whatever's on their mind?
When the police speak and behave in an unbridled and partisan fashion, the freedom of ordinary citizens to speak in opposition is chilled. Police officers -- somewhat like judges -- are special members of society by virtue of their elevated position and power. With that power goes added responsibility.
Monticello village board meetings have developed a special reputation for vitriol. Police there have been known to hurl personal insults and accusations at the mayor, his family, and members of the public. Such behavior, by a couple of disreputable officers, discredits their position and the law they are duty-bound to uphold. Some have posted large placards in the windows of their personal cars -- parked at the village hall on a main thoroughfare -- proclaiming their partisan opinions. Others have targeted citizens they view as unfriendly, sometimes leveling baseless accusations against named residents, in public and on the radio. Last summer, three members of the village human rights commission said police singled them out for harassment after they faulted police for brutality that even the district attorney called excessive.
The Monticello police's involvement in local politics erodes public trust in professional law-enforcers and in the justice system. Longtime observers comment that the Monticello department has become unusually politicized under its present chief.
Enforcers of the law retain their rights as free citizens. They are free to speak and to write as they please. They are free to mount signs, post stickers, carry petitions, bargain collectively as a union, and donate to causes of their choice. But the bounds of professionalism, ethics, and good taste are not identical to what may be gotten away with by the advice of a lawyer. A few overly aggressive cops give the fine, dedicated officers in this crime-ridden village an undeserved black eye.
The chief of police released a memo last week in which he repeated hearsay gossip accusing the mayor of trying to scare officers from putting bumper stickers supporting his opponent on their cars. Those who heard the mayor's comments dispute the accuracy of the chief's claims.
Will the courageous officer who spoke out against the falsehoods issued by his chief suffer for exercising his own First Amendment rights? Better, he deserves a commendation for pointing out that police live by a higher standard of honor in society, as role models who can be trusted to do their jobs impartially.
--Tom Rue, contributing editor
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