Howie Carr holds the Massachusetts State Police in the same high esteem that I reserve for The Texas Department of Public Safety. In the past, I have characterized the Texas DPS as being just like the FBI…. only with an inferiority complex. According to Howie Carr, that inferiority complex is well deserved. I hesitate in linking this Carr column. I’m afraid that Texas DPS will take it as a how to and strive to do better. Not right, mind you, just outdo the Massachusetts State Police.
Carr has been on the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) for quite a while. Some of the highlights: the MSP hired a dope dealers girlfriend as a State cop. This despite her admission in court that she participated in boyfriend’s drug enterprise, laundered money and advocated killing snitches. On the plus side she was screwing several high ranking State Police supervisors. The MSP shut down an entire “Troop” (think precinct or small unit) after it was reported the troopers assigned there were stealing federal money for overtime that they didn’t work. Lost in the shuffle are the drunken antics and beat up girlfriends.
I am reminded of two sayings of Chiefs I know. “This job isn’t hard. Just do the right thing and do it now.” He backed his word up with actions that established an ethical culture in his police department. The second saying was often uttered by a Chief I worked for: “I have faith….” This Chief vacated his office and residence in the middle of the night, never to be seen again.” Faith is all well and good but it requires more that spouting platitudes on the part of the faithful.
