ZIPPER LE SERIES ONE:

In today’s society the administration of justice is a lot different

than it was twenty or so years ago. Not much has changed as far as

there are still individuals who commit crime and get arrested, but

certainly the way violations of the law are investigated and enforced

has. Due to today’s technology cases are not made solely on the

word of a law enforcement offi cial anymore, but instead testimony

is supported or rebutted by aid of technology such as mobile video

recorders or DNA. For that same reason in today’s litigious society

honest mistakes, bad habits, or training, as well as over zealous or

malicious law enforcement personnel can make a common criminal

a millionaire in the blink of an eye.

What you are about to read is intended to generate thought and

discussion on issues such as leadership, civil liability, procedure,

and related topics in the criminal justice system. In addition, the

mentality of what it is to be a law enforcement offi cer in certain

situations is also addressed from my point of view. Many topics

are touched on as it relates to law enforcement and criminal justice

issues for the simple fact you can’t discuss some issues without

bringing up another. For example, it would be diffi cult to discuss

some civil liability issues without bringing up what role race plays.

You can’t talk about leadership without discussing management

problems, outstanding offi cers without substandard ones and so on.

There are many experiences and case studies included, many of

these experiences I own, meaning it happened to me or I was on the

scene or nearby when it happened or knew the individuals involved.

Some incidents are composite stories not distinctive to any particular

individual, but are given as an example to explain a point of view.

Others were simply submitted to me with permission by various

individuals.

I, like many other individuals who have worked in the criminal

justice system, have made mistakes that had to be learned from.

Some case studies or stories included are intended to outline an

error or mistake that might have been made in order to illustrate to

the reader other options that may have been better in a particular

situation. Some are included to simply illustrate a pattern of thought

or mentality. Often making mistakes along the way is the only way

to learn how to do a job better. Mistakes made whether they are

immoral or impractical does not automatically make an individual

a bad person; or employee, in many cases it may just show need for

improvement or correction. As you read you will fi nd some of my

own mistakes as well as those of other individuals pointed out.

There may be individuals that would read this and feel that it

is indeed them that are depicted in some of the scenarios. If so

remember two things; one is that it may not be, and two no names are

ever mentioned. If you are such an individual you should take comfort

in that fact, as well as know that I can always name individuals by

name if I choose as long as the information is accurate. In that I have

extended a courtesy more than I was extended when I made errors

along the way.

I believe a large majority of criminal justice offi cials’ work hard

to seek and administer justice fairly and evenly for everyone. I

believe there is a small percentage of individuals that ruin it for the

others by doing just the opposite any chance they get. As you know

the latter gets more attention and media coverage than the prior. For

that reason I discuss individuals who elect not to do the right thing