Pubdate: Sun, 13 Feb 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-4712
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/
Author: MIGUEL ROSALES
Note: Title by newshawk

RAMPART SCANDAL CURE

For years the public and law enforcement have argued that stiff penalties
for criminals lower the crime rate.

To prevent further police scandals in the future, why don't we impose stiff
penalties for police who commit perjury, say, 25 years to life for each
offense. We can set high bail on each one since the penalties are likewise
high, ensuring that only a very few can fight their cases out of custody,
just like common citizens accused of serious offenses.

Certainly jailing an innocent person on perjured testimony is a very serious
offense, or at least it should be. After all, everyone wants to "get tough
on crime." Or does getting tough only apply to the citizenry, who don't have
a strong union?

MIGUEL ROSALES, Cerritos
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