Area police defend troopers

[DDD727]

Here is a little more BS from Southern Illinois, This letter was written by my local police chief. What a NICE guy.

 

WEB EXTRA: Statement in support of troopersThe following statement was released in support of three state troopers charged with weapons violations:

Feb. 7, 2006

 

It was troubling for many of us in law enforcement to read the articles and watch the press conference concerning the three Illinois State Police troopers charged with the possession of automatic rifles.

Our sources, believed to be credible, tell us that these are quality officers with outstanding careers. They have gone to work year after year protecting the people of Illinois.

We do not condone any police officer breaking the law and we absolutely believe that police officers should be held to a higher standard. But let's examine this alleged offense. The truth is that police officers do carry firearms and often time assault weapons. They are necessary tools of the trade. Some departments have automatic weapons in their inventory and they are often times assigned to officers, especially those detailed to SWAT teams.

Yes, the troopers are to have allegedly personally possessed them, which is illegal. However, there is no indication that these weapons were inappropriately used or involved in any other offense. The only difference is the assault rifle, which many of us own legally, and the ones the troopers allegedly possessed is the amount of times they fire with a single pull of the trigger.

The troopers, if the charges are true, should be held accountable, but a federal charge carrying the possibility of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine is excessive. One wonders, does this punishment fit the crime?

The government has a duty to protect its citizens and enforce the law, but discretion is also a valued part of the criminal justice system. Cases are decided every day on their merits and prosecutors have great latitude in deciding charges.

We do not see how the citizens are made safer by placing these troopers in jail. Discipline may absolutely be in order. However, to federally prosecute them and with a possible jail term is not the answer. Let the state of Illinois and (State Police) Director Trent deal with this issue. Signed,

Chief David Ruebhausen - Belleville PD

Chief Chris Sullivan - Alton PD

Chief Richard Miller - Granite City PD

Chief Scott Williams - Collinsville PD

Chief Patrick Delaney - Sauget PD

Chief Joe Brauer - Waterloo PD

Chief Joe Edwards - Columbia PD

Chief William Webber - Wood River PD

Chief Darren Carlton - East Alton PD

Chief Vielweber - Smithton PD

Terry Delaney - Retired Illinois State Police Captain/Former U.S. Marshal and former Belleville police chief.

Sheriff Robert Hertz - Madison County

Sheriff Jeff Brown - Bond County

William Haine - Illinois State Senator, 56th Legislative District, and former Madison County state's attorney.

Frank Watson - Illinois State Senator, 51st Legislative District, and current minority leader in the Senate.

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[45superman]

My police chief didn't sign it, but my Senator (Haine, usually a good guy) did, and so did my Sheriff (Hertz) .

 

The good news (and boy does it feel weird saying this!) is that the ATF isn't generally concerned with the good intentions of the law breakers, and seems to like lording it over state and local cops.

[wolf1]

iam sorry but i think they should get prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, not because i dislike police, i have great respect for police, it is because if it was an average citizen this would not even be a question. i think they should have to obey the same laws that they enforce on us.

[anonymous too]

I wanna see the same officials stand up and say the same thing if I'm found to have an M-16 in my closet that's never been "inappropriately" used as the chief says in this letter and I have a good record like the troopers involved do.

 

It's arrogance! They say they should be held to a higher standard, but only when it's applicable. I guess in this case these officials think it's fine to be a criminal!

[PuttinThisChromeInYourFace]

i agree with wold and kent.

[Ashdump]

Ye old double standard.

[crash79]

It would be nice to be able to see how many of these guys have prosecuted and arested some one for the same reason. It would also be nice to know how many of them have the same weapons in there closets

[Ol'Coach]

I object, just as I object to retired LEO being able to CC and defend their families while I can't!

 

Nothing against LEO, active or retired. I have some great friends and ex-students who make their livings as LEO and I respect and admire them and their profession. But as private citizens, I think "equal rights" is the term? (Maybe "citizens" isn't the correct term here?

[Blaster]

Here is a link to a couple of letters to the editors. Link to article

[junglebob]

Maybe a letter should go out to each of those police cheifs, sheriffs, and state senators. Will they also write a letter for the doctor that was arrested for the same offense? Was the doctors weapon inappropriately used or involved in another offense? If not how about a letter for him. I'm sure he has had a good career, and if he hasn't been found guilty of any crimes, he should get a letter too!

 

If they won't it looks like a double standard.

[45superman]

Got a response from Senator Haine. I still disagree with him, but understand his position, and I appreciate him getting back to me.

 

Dear Mr. Hoffmann:

 

 

      Thank you for your thoughtful note.  I do not agree that the prosecution of three Illinois State Troopers and a retired physician can possibly serve the common good in this circumstance. 

 

 

      With the proper paper work and clearance these troopers could have had full legal authority to possess and use these automatic firearms.  To face utter ruin and prison time, (not to mention the heartache that this is brought upon their families), is simply an unreasonable application of the federal statutes.  The same applies to the physician, or, indeed, any other law abiding citizen who gets caught up in the hysteria that surrounds the enforcement of our gun laws.

 

 

      This case illustrates why I oppose any more laws that give the power to the State (or Federal Government) to destroy the lives of average law abiding citizens only because there citizens they have a fascination or love of shooting and/or hunting.

 

 

      I have stated the same on the Senate floor in resisting these efforts by Mayor Daley and others in the past three years.  I have been a leader in the fight to protect law abiding gun owners.

 

 

      However, to sacrifice three career law enforcement officers with records of distinction and bravery, as well as a distinguished physician on the altar of blind prosecutorial consistency is simply wrong.

 

 

      As a former prosecutor, I believe that the hallmark of our legal system is reasonableness and balance.  This case is clearly out of balance as have been many other prosecutions of private citizens under these gun laws. 

 

 

      When I was States Attorney, we prosecuted criminals, gangsters, and violent offenders.  We did not target average FOID card holders or courageous police officers and distinguished retired doctors.  The United States Attorney’s office obviously has lost its sense of proportionality and balance.

 

      In short, I stand by my letter and do not consider it a request for preferential treatment. On the contrary, if “they come for these men; they will soon come for you.”

 

 

      Thank you again for your thoughts and I encourage you to share them with me at anytime.

 

                                    Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

                                    William R. Haine

 

                                    State Senator – 56th District

 

 

 

WRH/tlc

[SmershAgent]

Thanks for the update.

 

This part caught my eye:

With the proper paper work and clearance these troopers could have had full legal authority to possess and use these automatic firearms.  To face utter ruin and prison time, (not to mention the heartache that this is brought upon their families), is simply an unreasonable application of the federal statutes.  The same applies to the physician, or, indeed, any other law abiding citizen who gets caught up in the hysteria that surrounds the enforcement of our gun laws.

 

If he's willing to back that up with some follow through next time a civilian is getting reamed for a victimless firearms violation, then I have far less of a problem with him supporting the ISP troopers.

 

I suppose if anyone here has the testicular fortitude, this could make for a good test case:

 

Peacefully go about town with a sidearm on your waist. When you're arrested for felony UUW, call Senator Haine and ask for his help. If he meant what he said above, he should provide it.

[45superman]

I suppose if anyone here has the testicular fortitude, this could make for a good test case:

 

Peacefully go about town with a sidearm on your waist. When you're arrested for felony UUW, call Senator Haine and ask for his help. If he meant what he said above, he should provide it.

I'll tell you right now--I don't have that kind of fortitude (and I'm afraid our testicularly endowed governor won't be interested) :cheers: .

[Ocellairs]

and I'm afraid our testicularly endowed governor

 

...have you been peaking? :cheers:

[45superman]

...have you been peaking? :cheers:

Nah--that's just the word on the street.

[junglebob]

Superman, If you or someone else in your senate district ever get arrested for "fanny pack transport" we'll see if he comes through. He should definately be there giving support in that case.

 

Happy birthday Bolosniper. PM4E welcome to the forum.