`something For Everybawdy' Is Daring, Funny

2 Robbery Suspects Waive Hearing

Friday, January 10, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Treasure good law enforcement officials, but challenge the bad ones &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Former District Attorney and now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Luzerne County Correale Stevens' guest commentary urging better public
opinion of our police (Dec. 23) downplays the police problem in our
countryAmerican judges, like Judge Stevens, are more often than not former
prosecutors. They too frequently resolve doubts in favor of the prosecution. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police authority is difficult to overcome in court. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In response to public outrage at the Rodney King beatings and repulsion as
to Mark Fuhrman's perjury in a murder case, too many apologists argue such
incidents are uncommon. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The fact that few are caught on video or are thoroughly investigated by
defendants with great resources does not indicate there are an insignificant
number of police who plant evidence, exaggerate on the witness stand, and
otherwise victimize people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All, not a few, police around Rodney King clearly demonstrated that they
were bad police. Those who watched and did nothing to protect Rodney King were
little better than those who did the beating. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All prosecutors, attorneys and police, who used and vouched for Mark
Furhman in a murder investigation and trial were bad -- 100 percent --
prosecutors and police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We do have good prosecutors and good police. I know some. However, many
police soon learn it is better for their careers to abide by the code of
silence than to blow the whistle on bad cops and bad prosecutors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Americans have a long history of challenging authority. Witness our
Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Declaration of Rights (1776) and our
United States Bill of Rights (1791). Witness our constitutionally strong
courts designed 200 years ago to enforce our rights against the police power
of the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 No American need apologize for properly challenging police authority. We
who do so are in good company -- the company of our Founding Fathers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That said, however, good prosecutors and police officers are worth their
weight in gold. They are honest and concerned with fairness, individual and
public safety, and due process. They should be well paid and much appreciated.
They are our best assurance of the continued success of our democratic
experiment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Our system is the best, and it inspires the world. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Let us preserve it with good police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gerald C. Grimaud &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tunkhannock &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Treasure Good Law Enforcement Officials, But Challenge The Bad Ones 
Former District Attorney And Now Judge Of The Court Of Common Pleas For 
Luzerne County Correale Stevens' Guest Commentary Urging Better Public Opinion 
Of Our Police (dec. 23) Downplays The Police Problem In Our Country.

Treasure Good Law Enforcement Officials, But Challenge The Bad Ones Former District Attorney And Now Judge Of The Court Of Common Pleas For Luzerne County Correale Stevens' Guest Commentary Urging Better Public Opinion Of Our Police (dec. 23) Downplays The Police Problem In Our Country.