"Six scumbags" ?

The toughest job these days belongs to Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson, Sergio Garcia's caddy, and the police chief of the city of Philadelphia.


This is not just because of the crime that we have here. To be sure, like all major cities, we have our fair share. But Chief Ramsey has a bigger problem: the integrity of his police department. It has been one negative hit after another for Philly's finest over the past few years, and now, sadly, it has reached a crescendo.


"As part of an ongoing federal corruption probe, six officers are facing a total of 26 indictments for offenses that include drug dealing, kidnapping and robbery.


FBI Agents on Wednesday arrested six Philadelphia cops as part of a federal corruption probe. The officers, former and current members of the Narcotics Field Unit, are facing a total of 26 indictments for offenses that include drug dealing, kidnapping and robbery.


Officers John Speiser, Thomas Liciardello, Michael Spicer, Brian Reynolds, Perry Betts, and Linwood Norman stand accused of stealing over half a million dollars worth of property, drugs, and cash, from February 2006 to November 2012. Officer Liciardello is also charged with falsifying records.


Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said in a press conference on Wednesday that in over 40 years as a police officer “this is one of the worst cases of corruption I’ve ever heard,” CBS Philly reported.


Sources told prosecutors that the officers allegedly used force to steal money and drugs, even holding one victim over the edge of an 18^th-floor balcony, CBS Philly reported.


The arrests this week will reopen several civil rights lawsuits from suspects who claimed they were arrested under false charges.


All six of the indicted officers have plead not guilty and will be held in prison without bail, prosecutors say. Five of the officers could face life sentences if found guilty, while Officer Speiser could serve a maximum of 40 years, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports." [Source]


If you have ever practiced criminal law in Philly you can totally understand this story.


Your client tells you that he had a thousand dollars on him when he was arrested, yet the police report says that he had only three hundred dollars. 


After enough lawyers start complaining about certain police officers, a pattern starts to emerge. And then it's just a matter of time before Zane Memeger and the boys get involved.


That's where we are now, and city officials are embarrassed.


"Mayor Nutter vowed he would not allow the alleged actions of “six sick scumbags” to impact the reputations of officers who risk their lives everyday.
“The majority of officers in narcotics are hardworking,not corrupt period,” Ramsey said emphatically."


For the sake of our fine city and the dignity of the court, I hope that there are only "six scumbags" on the force. Unfortunately, though, history says otherwise.