Letters to the Editor

No Entrepreneurial Law Enforcement

To the Editor:

After reading the article in The Fayette County Record on April 28, I am moved to submit this letter voicing my opposition to raising salaries for the two drug interdiction officers because they engage in civil forfeitures and seizures. I consider this “entrepreneurial” law enforcement.

As a retired police officer, I have the highest respect for the law enforcement community. People are drawn to the law enforcement profession for a variety of reasons including job security, service to others, reputation, respectability, benefits, retirement and making a livable wage. This attempt to single out two deputies for salary increases based on civil seizures is illogical, discriminate and unfair. Although not prohibited by State Law, civil seizures and forfeitures are generally used to purchase law enforcement equipment that agencies are unable to purchase through the normal budget process. Allowing two deputies to earn salaries outside normal county pay scales will create dissention and animosity among other deputies and county employees in general. What happened to the purpose of government of providing services to its constituents?

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