When lawmen give the law the finger

The proliferation of tax revenue traffic cameras is proving again, as Orwell said: "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

In recent weeks, officers have twice been photographed speeding past a camera and extending a middle finger, an act that police supervisors interpreted as a gesture of defiance. ((wow...glad those detectives could figure THAT one out... -- Jemison))
"There is no excuse for that kind of behavior," said Andrews, who was briefed on the incidents.
During the last eight months of 2007, the department's cameras recorded 224 instances in which county police vehicles were nabbed traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit, the department disclosed this week in response to an inquiry from The Washington Post.
Of those citations, 76 were dismissed after supervisors determined that officers were responding to calls or had other valid reasons to exceed the speed limit. Nearly two-thirds of the remaining 148 fines have not been paid, including an unspecified number that remain under investigation, said Lt. Paul Starks, a police spokesman. He said the number of citations issued to police employees this year is not yet available.
Manger is demanding that officers pay the fines, a request that has met stiff opposition from union leaders and has been ignored by some sergeants who were asked to investigate whether officers nabbed by the cameras had a valid reason to speed.

There's a fine line between organized civic forces and gangs. Too many of our "finest" are starting to resemble the latter... complete with "attitude," it would appear. Unchecked power will do that.