Two Houston Police Officers Fired

[shawn703]

Two Houston police officers were fired after they were accused of downloading nude photographs of a suspected drunken driver from her camera phone.

Officers Christopher Green, 34, and George Miller, 38, were indefinitely suspended late last week, tantamount to firing in the department.

A search warrant for Green's home accused him of transferring nude photos from the college student's cellular phone to his personal digital assistant. The warrant also alleged that Miller left the woman a message suggesting they meet at an Italian cafe.

The woman's attorney, Ned Gill, has said he has no idea why she had nude photos of herself, or why the officers examined the phone. The woman is from China and speaks little English, Gill said.


more...
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=104&sid=521213

[jayfish]

1. I Wonder What Would Have Happend...

if they shot a black kid? A promotion maybe? I'm not a big fan of LEO's but this is dumb.

Jay

[dbonds]

2. Something fishy about that.

It just doesn't ring of truth, or at least a big part of the story missing.

[jobycom]

3. Fired? Not prosecuted? Oh that's right, they were cops

Cops only get fired for committing crimes, and that rarely.

I've had a lot friends who were cops. Not dissing cops. Just the whole structure that immediately jumps to the aid of ANY cop who commits ANY crime, no matter how serious. Most don't do crap like this, which to me means the ones who do should be punished far more harshly than an average citizen. This abuse of power and trust should be punished criminally, not just in terms of employment. Think of the power they have to stalk this woman, to pressure her into whatever they want.

[nine30]

4. I don't get it

Was there a crime commited here ? Is transfering nude photos during off duty hours of a woman of age, illegal ?

[shawn703]

5. Wouldn't it be illegal search and seizure? n/t

[CBGLuthier]

7. abuse of power

May not have been a crime, except in Texas it is illegal to access a computer system without permission, but any way you look at it police officers can not engage in such behavior.

[nine30]

8. why not ?

"..police officers can not engage in such behavior.."

Thats my question. Did they have to sign a document stating what they can or cannot do in their private time.. even if it does not involve breaking the law ?

I am neither supporting nor opposing it, just want to know.

[CBGLuthier]

10. Did you read the article?

Why do you keep mentioning their private time?

They stopped a woman for an offense which began a professional relationship subject to rules of conduct. Allegedly, they then downloaded nude photos of her from her camera phone without her permission.

If you can't see what is wrong with that then I don't think I will be able to explain it any clearer.

[nine30]

11. I didn't read the article..

..but it makes sense now.

[TwentyFive]

6. I don't know Chinese women who are drunks....that is odd. She should sue!

Downloading nude photos invaded her privacy and will spread to who knows where over the Internet. I think she should sue these cops!

[nine30]

9. If he did that..

without her knowledge or consent I can understand why it would be illegal. Is that what he did ?

[SemperEadem]

12. good question

the cops can rumage through whatever they can see in your car when they pull you over for drunk driving. If your phone is in plain view when they've stopped you and ask if you've been drinking or they arrest you and go through your purse/pockets and find your phone, while they may confiscate it or look through it before booking it into evidence, without probable cause or a warrant, they can't then just copy over your phone list or any of the contents on the device to their home computer and then use it for purposes not relating to the arrest. What earthly reason did he have for it being on his home computer? I can understand pics of anyone else on the planet, but not this woman.