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“The tone is set at the top. If this is business as usual, then Gov. Scott has to remove Sheriff Israel now. I’d like to know what the justification for pulling this kid out of class and interrogating him was. If this was a political hatchet job, there are some serious problems in the department.”

I believe the rank and file have a moral obligation to speak out about this incident. If they remain silent, then they become their accomplices. Do you agree with that?

Absolutely. And in all likelihood, the majority of the rank and file of the SO are just as disgusted. Obviously, if they had a “no confidence” vote against the sheriff, the majority don’t like the way the department is being run.

Since the Sheriff is an elected position, the rank and file are subject to political whims every couple of years. It tends to suppress any individual from speaking out and the union becomes the officers voice. If the union is in lock-step with the sheriff, there is no voice for the officer.

"I believe the rank and file have a moral obligation to speak out about this incident. If they remain silent, then they become their accomplices. Do you agree with that?"

Most of them are not trained to help with federal investigations under federal laws against their own coworkers or administrators. Do you see? They wouldn't stand a chance.

Most members of most police departments are cleaner, more fair and trustworthy by far than the average person in the general population. That's how they're chosen for most departments. But without the tools, they can't do much about corruption but wait for a rare opportunity to stick their necks out.

So, an active and healthy Public Integrity Section is needed. And training is needed in local academies to show local police how to work with federal lawyers.

We can do it by having many in the general population trained and armed, too, or both. But the outcomes will be about the same with many tragedies along the way. Most people like peace and quiet.

Another thing we can do, by the way, is to vote in every election and master the art of incrementalism. The left has been kicking us with incrementalism for a long time. Yes..."the least of two evils." The worst of two socialists will also more often be the more corrupt of the two. To relate it to sports and military pursuits, we need both a good offense and a good defense. Those of you who want to stubbornly avoid your political duties, at least consider how many freedoms you want to lose.