Sheriff: Officers Must Have Sex With Prostitutes For Evidence

The Indy Channel ^ | February 14, 2006 | AP

[editor-surveyor]

"Smith told The Washington Post that only unmarried detectives are allowed to do the under-the-covers work."

I can just see the cops at the Great White Throne: HonestGod, it was only my job...

[Gondring]

Freebird Forever>At this rate our government may some day blow up a few buildings in order to attack a terrorist.

Emmett McCarthy>Clinton clearly missed a perfect defense - he was just trying to "get evidence" on Monica. Oh, no, wait - he DID get evidence on Monica, well, on her dress anyway.

[Larry Lucido]

I already piped up on the other thread about how I apparently worked for the wrong agency.

[flutters]

Follow up ping.

Sheriff Ends Policy Of Officers Having Sex With Hookers

http://www.nbc4i.com/news/7152984/detail.html

Smith Defended Practice Earlier In Week

POSTED: 10:39 am EST February 17, 2006

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. -- The Spotsylvania County sheriff in Virginia has suspended the practice of allowing detectives to receive sexual services while investigating suspected prostitution.

Sheriff Howard Smith defended the practice this week. But he said in a statement Friday that he suspended the policy "because of the public's express response."

Smith told The Washington Post this week that sexual contact was necessary to obtain a conviction. He had said that he stood by the practice, but limited the work to unmarried detectives. He also said the practice was not new.

The sheriff said detectives spent $1,200 during four visits last month to a massage parlor. He said multiple visits were necessary so detectives could build trust with the operators. One detective left a $350 tip.

Detectives shut down Moon Spa last month, and charges were filed against five people.

Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely said he respects Smith's decision to end the practice, but refused to apologize for the officers' tactics.

Henry Connors, president of the county board of supervisors, criticized the policy this week. He said Friday that his opposition was "never about the need to stamp out prostitution or crime. It was always about the tactics."

Several police officials and legal observers say the practice has been tried by other agencies across the country, but they knew of none that still permit sexual contact with suspects as part of prostitution investigations.

[Abathar]

I figure he must have known this was going to catch flak the instant the press found out about it, and he would have to stop.

Didn't keep him from doing it in the first place though...

[pepsionice]

Can I sign up to be a weekend cop....just part-time? I only need two or three hours of duty on Friday and Saturday night....and I'm willing to work overtime provided my wife doesn't find out about this.

[mlc9852]

I will admit it's obviously a great recruiting tool.