Opinion > Editorials
Don't judge all officers for the actions of one
The News-Sun reported last week that Officer Darrell Litchfield, Benson's K-9 officer, was terminated in July following a lengthy investigation of several allegations. Litchfield was originally placed on administrative leave following a January altercation with his wife that resulted in sheriff's deputies being called to the home.
While that investigation was ongoing, other allegations surfaced that Litchfield obscured his license plate and drove his personal car with the driver's side visor down in order to foil photo radar enforcement in the Phoenix area. And then a new set of accusations came to light in April that Litchfield was allegedly having a bartender fill his thirst-buster cup from Circle K with Red Bull and Vodka while in uniform. The Sierra Vista Police Department is conducting an internal affairs investigation in this allegation.
A polygraph test on his actions with regard to photo radar resulted in Litchfield's answers being called "deceptive" by Kay Doctor of Southwest Pollygraph Services. As a result of all of these messes, Litchfield was terminated. That appears to be the correct move.
From what has been disclosed, it would appear that Litchfield was a bad apple. And while that is unfortunate, we need to be careful not to paint everyone in uniform with the same brush.
The vast majority of those in law enforcement are on the job because they truly want to serve. They are good, ethical officers who are doing their best to protect public safety. They chose a career with modest pay that requires them to put their lives on the line every day. That deserves our respect.
Those good cops are no happier with the Litchfields of the world than we are. They know that all too often, the public thinks the bad actions of one person are a reflection of the behavior of the whole department. That could not be further from the truth.
In this case, the Benson Police policed themselves. They heard about certain activities, investigated and ultimately terminated the officer. Let's remember that he was an anomaly, not the norm. The Benson Police deserve our continued support, as do officers from the Sheriff's Department and the Department of Public Safety.
Let's remember, when the temptation comes to paint all law enforcement with a broad brush, they do a job most of the rest of us wouldn't or couldn't do.
While that investigation was ongoing, other allegations surfaced that Litchfield obscured his license plate and drove his personal car with the driver's side visor down in order to foil photo radar enforcement in the Phoenix area. And then a new set of accusations came to light in April that Litchfield was allegedly having a bartender fill his thirst-buster cup from Circle K with Red Bull and Vodka while in uniform. The Sierra Vista Police Department is conducting an internal affairs investigation in this allegation.
A polygraph test on his actions with regard to photo radar resulted in Litchfield's answers being called "deceptive" by Kay Doctor of Southwest Pollygraph Services. As a result of all of these messes, Litchfield was terminated. That appears to be the correct move.
From what has been disclosed, it would appear that Litchfield was a bad apple. And while that is unfortunate, we need to be careful not to paint everyone in uniform with the same brush.
The vast majority of those in law enforcement are on the job because they truly want to serve. They are good, ethical officers who are doing their best to protect public safety. They chose a career with modest pay that requires them to put their lives on the line every day. That deserves our respect.
Those good cops are no happier with the Litchfields of the world than we are. They know that all too often, the public thinks the bad actions of one person are a reflection of the behavior of the whole department. That could not be further from the truth.
In this case, the Benson Police policed themselves. They heard about certain activities, investigated and ultimately terminated the officer. Let's remember that he was an anomaly, not the norm. The Benson Police deserve our continued support, as do officers from the Sheriff's Department and the Department of Public Safety.
Let's remember, when the temptation comes to paint all law enforcement with a broad brush, they do a job most of the rest of us wouldn't or couldn't do.
Copyright © 2010 - San Pedro Valley News-Sun