Although much of the press has been focused, of late, on the incidents of sexual assault in the entertainment and media industries, it is also among the most pernicious and likely under-reported varieties of on-duty police misconduct. The police are viewed by the majority of the public as among the most trusted institutions in society, behind the military and small business. Many of the people who come into contact with police, though, suffer the stigma of criminal records, tenuous immigration status, mental illness, intoxication or substance addiction, or some combination of these. Additionally, sex workers who operate in black-market prostitution are often targets of police stings involving sexually compromising situations. Opportunistic and predatory officers can take advantage of these circumstances to victimize individuals-most often women-who feel they have little recourse against the police.
Have to wonder if Law & Order – SVU did an episode on the NYPD officers who flew to Seattle. If not, maybe they should. (queue L&O soundtrack)
This article is preaching to the choir. Those who understand this already have experienced it, and those who haven’t don’t want to hear about it and don’t believe it.
Law enforcement has always been corrupt. It is politically based and most officers are impervious to the laws they “enforce”.
I work with a prominent lawyer in Bay Area, and he has told me he has 0 respect for the integrity of police. Unfortunately , I feel if I told him of my situation, he probably wouldn’t be a client. Maybe paranoia, but this atmosphere breeds it.
There are quite a few retired officers in my neck of the woods who have been convicted & are RC’s. They have all since been to court asking for probation (no jail sentence mind you!!) privileges like family vacation etc and it has all been granted. Lots of stuff, no prob. The court proceedings are on line for all to read, but after the high profile “media” conviction, nobody cares, except me, the low hanging fruit.
Imagine dealing with unprofessional law enforcement agents (which is, fortunately, a small percentage), as a female RSO.