Bad Cops, Bad Cops, Whatcha Gonna Do?

The January issue of Maxim has a short feature called Filthy Harrys — America's Ten Worst Cops of 2005 [subscription required]. Here are my two favorite entries. Read these with the Cops TV theme playing in your head.

The perp: Thomas Pfortmiller; Topeka, Kansas
The crime: If you’re going to break the law, you may as well go all out. Pfortmiller, 40, was charged with a whopping 100 felonies and misdemeanors. The officer took $20,000 in department funds that were supposed to be used in drug sting operations. Thing is, the supposed drug buys never actually happened, because the cop used the money to feed his gambling problem. Dozens of suspects in cases he had worked had to be set free because the drug evidence mysteriously went missing.
The verdict: Pfortmiller plea-bargained down to a measly 50 felony counts. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

The perps: Shayne Green, Joshua Monday, Gerald Webber, Samuel Franklin and William Carroll; Campbell County, Tennessee
The crime: Like real by-the-book pros, these men burst into the home of Lester Eugene Siler and shoved the 42-year-old ex-con’s head into a fishtank and an unflushed toilet, hooked his nose up to a battery charger, and pointed a gun at his head — all to make him sign papers that would give them permission to search his home. The officers claimed they found drugs, but the charges were dropped after their shenanigans came to light: Turns out Siler’s wife captured the highly illegal ordeal on a tape recorder as the beat-down was happening.
The verdict: All five men were sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Comments

[Sistergeoff]

Note the comparatively minor sentances given out to the states own men. Typical.

[Dale Boley]

And these are just the ones we know about. How about all the times that they get away with it. I would suggest that these are rare exceptions. How often does one think to start a tape recorder while under the boot of a stormtrooper? Well done Mrs Siler. And well done Roger.

[Thomas]

Would like info on how you track these cases. Found this in my local newspaper and have been trying to follow it but info is hard to find...was hoping you could direct me to info on how to follow these cases...thkns
P.S. This is from local newspaper The Columbian, Vancouver Wa.......

Deputies guild files grievance in December firing of Visser
Article 2 of 50 found

January 12, 2006; Page c1
Section: Clark County/region
Article ID: 2006012059 -- 306 words

The Clark County Deputy Sheriffs Guild on Wednesday filed a grievance in the Dec. 15 firing of former Deputy John Visser.

This is the first formal step in the guild's effort to get Visser reinstated as a deputy. Visser, 43, a deputy since 1991, was fired for attending a party where teenagers were drinking, and for drinking beer himself during the gathering.

Sheriff's officials say Visser knew the minors were drinking and did nothing to stop it. Visser also failed

Deputy, 43, fired over teen party
Article 4 of 50 found

January 4, 2006; Page a1
Section: Crime
Article ID: 2006004037 -- 939 words

A longtime Clark County Sheriff's Office detective has been fired for attending a party where people younger than 21 years old were drinking, and for drinking beer himself at the gathering a year ago.

But former Deputy John Visser, 43, says he was wrongfully terminated. Visser, a deputy since 1991, said he went to the gathering in hopes of learning the identity of two people who were selling the illegal drug Ecstasy and to help a 19-year-old family friend who had become involved

[Rick, in Vancouver, WA]

In response to Dale Boley. I know it's been a long time since the incident. It still ticks me off. Visser was one of the best things to happen to the CCSO. He was a good man, a good cop. (and I don't like cops, generally speaking) I knew him both personally and on the "wrong side" of the law.

He was one of those rare cases where I would actually stand up and defend a cop. He didn't deserve to be fired, but I think he's better off. I wouldn't want to work for an outfit that treated their employees like that.

[John Visser]

I just found this and wanted to say thanks to Rick, whoever you may be.
I did my best in all my 20 years working for the County.
Made plenty of errors. Never for my own gain or personal satisfaction. But errors no doubt.
I appreciated your thoughts and kind words. You were kind to take the time and it was refreshing to hear positive thoughts from someone I dont know that I know.