Annapolis Capital Punishment

I need a good way to search the news for stories in other locales. But I guess the "good" news is that we have enough stuff going on within 30 miles of little old Annapolis that just leaves you shaking your head!

I was out of town for a bit and not keeping up with what was happening. But I am back now, and as Ed Sullivan used to say, and on with the shoo....

An Anne Arundel County police officer was charged with extorting a flash of flesh (complete with cell phone camera capture) to get out of a trumped up ticket! One girl complied and the other did not. Big investigation here now, but initially the cop was put in jail (good move) on a $250,000 bail.

Oddly enough, if he made bail, the police department was going to allow him to continue working while they completed the investigation. Albeit in an administrative position--one where he would not have access to 18 year old vulnerable women. What kind of crazy policy is that? The guy is in a position of authority and he NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.

Original story was in the Capital Gazette on 02-20-2007

Wait, it gets even more bizzare. Yesterday, Judge J. Michael Wachs decided to not reduce, but ELIMINATE the bail essentially freeing the officer to return to the police department and earn his $38,000 to $66,000 tax payer funded salary! So, let me get this straight, a young girl and her friend are now terrified of authority figures and police in general. And the groping cop is going about business as usual?

Follow up story in the Capital Gazette on 02-21-2007

PS...apparently this woman was not the only one. The police are looking for others who were abused by the cop!