The "Sloppy Joes" in Police Work
Posted: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
By Reinaldo Irizarry, Sr., Ph.D.
I'm a former Texas county sheriff with fifteen years law enforcement experience through 1987. The current problem in Texas began with the vast amounts of federal money that became available after the George H. W. Bush administration instituted the so-called "War on Drugs" twenty-odd years ago. In our state these funds were used to establish "Regional Drug Task Forces," a new slant on enforcement served up by rogue cops with little or no effective supervision. Some of these officers learned how to work the system and divert thousands of dollars into their own pockets. In Tulia, Texas, during 1999 a Task Force operative, Tom Coleman, operating alone with neither wires nor video surveillance was responsible for sealed indictments that sent 19 innocent men, all except one of them local Negroes, to prison for individual terms of up to 321 years. Upon finally beng caught Coleman, the son of a Texas Ranger, was convicted and sentenced to ten years, probated. Fair and equal justice? I don't think so. (See Tulia: Race, Cocaine and Corruption in a Small Texas Town, Nate Blakeslee, 2005.) Frank Brown, a west-Texas District Attorney and former prosecutor for one of the regional task forces in west-Central Texas resigned the latter position when the federal courts began allowing officers to stop and search vehicles without probable cause. The DA said he had often wondered what would happen if a Black man were given a Corvette with Miami tags and sent to El Paso on Interstate-10. Brown's summation: "It'd take him six months to get there." Another problem directly related to the above came along with legislation that permitted local and state agencies to confiscate money and assets of drug related arrests. The tinted windows Irizarry referred to as a reason for a traffic stop fit a "profile" that one officer thought might get him a big bust and loads of cash for his department. In direct response to Dr. Irizarry's article, it appears that law enforcement has gotten to be more about getting money than fulfilling its traditional role: "To Protect and to Serve." Glenn Willeford Cd. Chihuahua, MexicoDear Mr. Glenn Willeford, Cd. Chihuahua, Mexico; I bid you greetings. Sir, in response to your excellent comments, Sir I can only say there are some of us that still recognize the importance and the difference in been a professional Law enforcement officer. Some of us still believe in professional ethics and honor. The truth is there are some officers that feel entering this profession, they can become wealthy. In addition, to be honest some of them do I have always found it to be like a breath of fresh air when some one with your experience in Police Work recognizes the shortcomings that have affected Police Work in resent years. Law Enforcement is not what it uses to be nor would it ever be again. There are unscrupulous people that are now seeking this profession for the sole purpose of the wonderful opportunities it provides in taking advantage of the poor average sucker in the street. Some rising to high rank with the authority to crush any one who gets in their way. As a result, the Officer with good intention is force to take a back seat and watch everything that is going on and expected to keep quite. When I first put on a badge, I did so with the intent of retiring after many years of honorable service. In addition, by watching my steps through out my career and not abusing any ones rights, I was able to do so. My mission was to Serve and protect the week and the innocent wit pride, integrity and honor. I thanks you Sir for taking the time to read my article and have a positive critique. Respectful yours, Reinaldo Irizarry, Sr., PhD
Dr. Irizarry, thanks. In 1987 I was removed from the constitutionally elected office of sheriff in a Texas county by state district judge Brock Jones on the word of two only marginally credible witnesses who had not been cross examined and prior to any examining trial, grand jury indictment or trial by jury. The preceding summer my department had busted the largest methamphetamine lab ever taken down in western Texas. A rancher from whom the druggies were buying large parcels of land was enraged. By springtime, I was history. So, there's no politics in American law enforcement, eh? I feel safer in Mexico where we KNOW what to expect from cops and judges than in my own country where we only THINK we know. Been here thirteen years now, invited to apply for either residency or citizenship, and doubt I'll ever go back to the USA unless it's just to make certain people nervous. I have a long book coming out in October on what happened but being unfamiliar with this website's policy I hesitate to post it here. Best, sir. Glenn Willeford Cd. Chihuahua, Mexico
Dear Mr. Willeford, Thank you again for the comments. However, I must tell you bad incidents always happened to good and honest people with the best intents. That is just the way it is now in this country. There has been a shift in the way people view events today and everyone is rushing to judgment. No one is taking the time to seek the truth, which will show the right path. The value for good healthy and honest citizenship is disappearing. I am interested in reading your book when it becomes available. Please keep me in mind with copy. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors. Please feel free to write to me and vent whenever you need to. I am all ears… Thanks Dr. Irizarry
Good Dr. Irizarry, much apprecated. After twenty years of holding it back I let it all out in the book. My need to "vent" is finally past. Upon the sage advice of good, and older, friends who said, "Glenn, they had no mercy on you, this is your catharsis, use true names and let the chips fall where they may." So I have, and a lot of people are going to be angry, perhaps most especially the Texas Rangers. Well, to the Devil with them. Name of the book is, DIRTY COP? The Rise and Fall of a Texas Sheriff, Memoir & Essays. It is now at press and should be in Texas bookstores by the third or last week of October. If you want one personalized contact me. I can sell direct at a savings of five dollars, mas o menos, to the customer and it's the only way to "personalize." Let me know soon for an early copy. Glenn WillefordDear Mr. Glenn, I am looking forward to having the first copy signed by you. Let me know when I can get one. You can also e-mail me any time you feel like talking to some one that knows how to listen and has a lot of experience in receiving info in confidence. Respectfully Dr. Irizarry
Dr. Irizarry, be happy to comply. As I had to "rob Peter to pay Paul" and self-publish the work I must charge $19.95 and try to at least break even on it; if I get lucky and make a few bucks, well, I think I've earned it. In concern that this service might not like us using their medium for a chat line, and understanding why they won't permit the exchange of los dirreciones (correo electronico) I'm in a quandry as to how to get in touch. Have you any suggestions? Glenn
Dear Glenn, go to the website to one of my articles you will see my name and there is a little envelope icon, click on it and you will have my e-mail address. You can get in touch with me.
Thanks
Dr. Irizarry
Interesting article. Sadly, there are many examples of policies and procedures not being followed for any number of reasons, resulting in consequences for the police department and the citizens they serve that can be quite severe.Dear Mr. Brown, thank you for your comment.It’s a fact, that policies, and procedures are not been folowed by alot of Lawenforcement agencies throughout this Country. However, as the profession becomes more diverse in meeting new challenges it has room for improvement. With the right personnel in Management and key position there is hope yet. Let’s hope for the best…
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