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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.
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| Retail sales up in county, but down in Benson |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
CALM wrote on Aug 12, 2009 1:07 PM:
" Just curious, why does this article not state who the author is? And how long will the editor of this paper continue to allow the slandering of Litchfield? Enough is enough! Litchfield, like all the cops on BPD, is not perfect. He was NOT a bad apple nor an anomaly. He was no different than his fellow officers. BPD has some "truly bad apples," which continue to serve Benson's citizens. Thankfully, I no longer live in the Benson area, I feel for the citizens who reside there and have to be bull-dogged by some of the officers on the force. Again, my best to Darrel Litchfield and his family. I truly hope you win your appeal. "
MARY wrote on Aug 13, 2009 1:49 PM:
" HI THINK THE BENSON COPS ARE WAY OVERPAID FOR DOING THE SAME THING THAT LOCKS OTHER UP AND 99 % GET AWAY WITH IT LITCHFIELD TIME WAS UP THANK GOD "
Mad wrote on Aug 13, 2009 3:59 PM:
" Small town small town police
Blind leading the blind
they couldn't find their bottoms in a phone booth
To many people get away?? Why is that interesting??" corruption in Benson possible?? A Bad smell again in Benson?? Continue Interested and interest Forever watching "
Blind leading the blind
they couldn't find their bottoms in a phone booth
To many people get away?? Why is that interesting??" corruption in Benson possible?? A Bad smell again in Benson?? Continue Interested and interest Forever watching "
M wrote on Aug 14, 2009 10:31 AM:
" This newspaper has nothing better to write about than Litchfield? I know Benson is a small town but come on, there has to be something news-worthy going on there. Litchfield must have made someone on top pretty mad to have press like this. It's pretty bad when someone stoops this low to kick someone when they're down. I hope you win your appeal and get the heck out of Benson!!! They definitely don't deserve you there. "
Fed Up wrote on Aug 14, 2009 11:51 AM:
" When is the newspaper planning on getting Litchfields side of the story?? Or is accurate reporting no longer an obligation. This is as bad a gossip. Shame on the newspaper for promoting this.
My next question is are you going to print a public appology on the front page of the newspaper if he wins his appeal?? You seem to have no problem with slandering Mr. Litchfield, so will you have no problem publicly appologizing to him as well.
Shame on the Paul Moncada and Glenn Nichols for allowing a dedicated officer to be treated like this. I know they will never have my vote of confidence or any other!!
I understand that his salary and reviews are public information, but why drag his family into this. I'm sure his family did not sign a waiver to have their life scrutinized by the public. "
My next question is are you going to print a public appology on the front page of the newspaper if he wins his appeal?? You seem to have no problem with slandering Mr. Litchfield, so will you have no problem publicly appologizing to him as well.
Shame on the Paul Moncada and Glenn Nichols for allowing a dedicated officer to be treated like this. I know they will never have my vote of confidence or any other!!
I understand that his salary and reviews are public information, but why drag his family into this. I'm sure his family did not sign a waiver to have their life scrutinized by the public. "
curious wrote on Aug 14, 2009 2:21 PM:
" How do we know that Mr. Litchfield wasn't the victim in the altercation?? or a victim of "hear say", and the police dept. was looking for a reason to get rid of him??
I don't know about the rest of the readers, but I know how "the good 'ole boy" systems work and i'm here to tell you its alive and well in Cochise County "
I don't know about the rest of the readers, but I know how "the good 'ole boy" systems work and i'm here to tell you its alive and well in Cochise County "
To Bad wrote on Aug 17, 2009 1:52 AM:
" To bad all of you didn't speak out against the news paper when it was slandering and mis reporting the news about Tipton and Suagee.
No investigation there by our so called investigative reporter. What a joke she is.
She only prints one side of every story. The side she and Jane Amari want you to believe. Anyone that believes anything this news paper prints is foolish.
Don't worry Jane and Thelma what you are deliberately doing to innocent people will come back to you BIG time.
Can't wait "
No investigation there by our so called investigative reporter. What a joke she is.
She only prints one side of every story. The side she and Jane Amari want you to believe. Anyone that believes anything this news paper prints is foolish.
Don't worry Jane and Thelma what you are deliberately doing to innocent people will come back to you BIG time.
Can't wait "
Rob W. wrote on Aug 18, 2009 11:40 AM:
" What a truly one sided crappy article!! Where in the report does is show that the Officer was actually found guilty of ANY of the allegations? Having one of theose reflective covers on your license plante, like soo many of arizonans do, is NOT against the law. I would like to know if the clerk at the "Circle K" came forward and reported this to his supperiors or if this was just another accussation without grounds made up by other officers or citizens? Did anyone would take the time to look at the Officers record and see if there were any other infractions in the past? How long has he been on the force? I would love to see him win his appeal. This sounds too much like a witch hunt!! "
officer D.Smith wrote on Aug 27, 2009 8:52 AM:
" I knew this officer personally and never once did he waiver in his job or stoop to the levels the paper is portraying- better get his side of the story and go from there- You will find he has alot of friends and supporters, whatever evidence is had= better be brought to the table, and be complete in its form!!!
Slander can be very damaging and yet very fruitful for the mistakes the town is making can reap a great amount of reward for officer Litchfield!!
Hang in there Officer- willl be in touch and in town soon!! "
Slander can be very damaging and yet very fruitful for the mistakes the town is making can reap a great amount of reward for officer Litchfield!!
Hang in there Officer- willl be in touch and in town soon!! "
Mildred M. Taticek wrote on Aug 11, 2009 8:36 PM: