Quality Policing Podcast and Blog

$100 for taking out the trash

I got fined $100 for putting my trash out too early. And not all the trash. Just the recyclable cans and bottles. I thought I was doing the can-pickers a favor by giving them a few more hours of daylight to pick out can and bottles for the 5-cent deposit. I got the ticket at…
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A bunch of old potheads?

Eight-term Iowa Republican Congressman Tom Latham is asked about LEAP, a group of former law enforcement agents who support drug legalization. He responds, “They’re probably a bunch of old potheads.” Don’t like the message? Disparage the messenger. That’s what they call an ad hominem attack. Maybe he should get to know us. Of well, you…
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Arizona v. Gant

The court just ruled that police can no longer search a car incident to arrest… assuming the car isn’t within reach of the arrested person and there is no reason to suspect that the car contains evidence related to the arrest. Since New York v. Belton(1981), police have assumed that they can search a car…
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Drug Decriminalization in Portugal

They say it’s a success. Here’s a report from the Cato Institute.

What if marijuana were legal?

I haven’t listened yet, but I assume it’s good. From NPR.

Do liberals laugh?

Almost a decade ago a colleague told me “You’re the first liberal I’ve met with a sense of humor.” Granted he didn’t have too many liberal friends. But that’s not the point. Liberals have a sense of humor. Most of the great comedians are liberals. Many if not most of the world’s great jokes have…
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Police Officer Jokes About Murder Victim

That’s just about as exciting a headline as “dog bites man.” I joked about murder victims. Of course you joke about murder victims. I mean, you do try and wait till you’re away from from the murder scene before joking about murder victims (though I didn’t even always pass that test). So after work —…
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At the ballpark…

I’m out traveling and speaking during my Spring Break. Right now I’m in Chicago, seeing as many Cubs games as I can. (Greek) Easter Sunday, I will be a roasting a lamb with my cousins. Then back to NYC. Updates will be few and far between till then. [And if you’ve ever wondered why the…
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Code 2 1/2

More lights and sirens in L.A. But in this case it’s a good thing. And former Chief Bernie Parks shows once again why the rank and file hate him. The story by Joel Rubin in the L.A. Times.

Man Robs Dunkin’ Donuts, Returns to Give Back Money

A man robs a Dunkin’ Donuts at (BB) gunpoint in Hinsdale, ILL. About 24 hours later he returned, confessed, apologized and put the money on the counter, including loose change he’d gotten from the cash register, authorities said. When he realized the clerk did not speak English, he wrote a note that said he was…
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