Posted on 05/14/2025 12:00:09 PM PDT by CFW
BOZEMAN, Montana — Nine felony cases connected to a game of “Crime Bingo” played by Bozeman Police Department officers will not be prosecuted, said Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell.
“It’s a tough call, but dismissal of the cases is the best way to protect the defendant’s constitutional due process rights and to ensure procedural fairness in those cases,” said Cromwell in a statement.
Bozeman Police Chief Jim Veltkamp revealed the “Crime Bingo” during an April 18 press conference, saying an independent review concluded “that zero of the cases had been affected by the game.”
Cromwell announced last week that four felony cases pending in district court and five under review with charges pending will not proceed to prosecution.
“Cases brought by the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office must be effective and constitutionally sound,” stated Cromwell. “My office will continue to uphold the law and rights of all involved — the victims, the accused and the community — safeguard public safety and ensure justice.”
In mid-January, 13 officers, including two sergeants, marked off squares apparently generated by one of several online services that have become popular to create customized bingo cards, the Bozeman Police Department reports.
[snip]
Two of the department’s six patrol teams participated in the game they called “MIDSHIFT BINGO,” where officers tried to mark off boxes on their cards with things like “ARREST 3 PEOPLE OUT OF ONE CAR,” “TEAM MEMBER HIT ON BY ARRESTEE” and simply “BUTT-ASS NAKED,” which was left open to interpretation.
Veltkamp reported the officers involved with the game sent 24 misdemeanor cases to Bozeman City Court and 11 to the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office.
(Excerpt) Read more at cowboystatedaily.com ...
However, I doubt the officers were thinking of their "bingo card" when responding to calls.
On the one hand, they absolutely should not have done that. On the other hand, public servants abusing the authority and trust We the People have given them is never amusing.
However, I am certain that these criminal public servants absolutely were thinking of their “bingo card” while abusing Citizens.
It was a really dumb thing for the officers to do. I hate the thought of crimes going unpunished, but this tainted each case with the possibility the officers were prejudiced by their silly game and wanting to mark a spot off. Maybe if a case could be successfully prosecuted entirely without any involvement or reference to the officers’ testimony or actions it could proceed, but otherwise they botched this up big time.
I don’t see a square that says “Get Caught Playing Midshift Bingo”.
They should have a square saying “Eat a dozen by yourself”
My grandfather was a Detroit cop and my dad was a Detroit cop. Neither one of them would have done what today's cops are doing.
I used to be totally in support of cops, but not anymore. Today's cops are nothing but roided up and covered with tats.........
“I doubt the officers were thinking of their “bingo card” when responding to calls.”
We’d like to think that, wouldn’t we. But do you suppose it was always in the backs of their minds and affecting their actions?
Lol.
“I want to speak to your supervisor.”
I don’t see shoot a dog or drop your gun on the card.
What gives?
“I want to speak to your supervisor.”
That’s one of their favorite responses these days. Along with, “You can’t touch me”, “No, I’m not under arrest” and “I can’t breathe”.
I don’t hate the thought of a crime going unpunished at all. In the scheme of things, punishing one particular crime isn’t nearly as important as having the state respect our rights to the letter.
Or it added to good police work by incentivizing doing a thorough job.
Reminds me of an old movie:
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