Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2011
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2011 The Maui News
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/1Mw4cXws
Website: http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n100/a02.html
Author: Mitch Bradley

POLICE SHOULD NOT TRY TO INFLUENCE THE LAW

A Feb. 15 Maui News article said that the police were passing out 
pamphlets opposing marijuana-related legislation.

I think that it is inappropriate for on-duty public servants to try 
to influence legislation. Policemen certainly have the right to voice 
their individual opinions on their own time, when not in uniform. But 
telling people how to vote on the public nickel is not what they are 
being paid for.

The article said that the pamphlets were paid for by a grant. Who 
provided the grant? Giving money to the police for the purpose of 
influencing legislation seems dangerously close to bribery.

The police are paid to enforce the laws, not to make them. I'm afraid 
that the chief of police has overstepped the bounds of his job in this case.

Mitch Bradley

Makawao
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom