Am I saying don't assist law enforcement in my articles? Should we ignore our civic duties?

I've received many letters and emails from readers and supporters inquiring about my position warning citizens to be careful about assisting police departments in murder investigations or any high profiled police investigations. Many have asked, as citizens, don't we have a moral obligation to assist the police? My answer, it's more important to protect you and your family than to assist the police in a murder investigation or high profiled case. Believe me, the detectives assigned to the case will do everything to solve it. So what am I'm saying? Please read my explanation carefully.  

I can remember many cases as a police officer that well- meaning citizens have gotten in trouble for volunteering information. One case that quickly comes to mind is the case of the green river serial killer back in the 80's. This was the case that involved Gary Ridgway, a serial killer that murdered at least 45 people according to police.

Here's my case to maybe shut up and be careful!

An innocent citizen by the name of Melvin Foster, a taxi driver in Seattle, thought it might be a good thing to perform his "civic duty" by helping the police by giving information. His information got him in trouble!

What happened? After Mr. Foster gave police detectives his thoughts about who the serial killer might be you know what they did? Do you know what they thought about his civic duties? He became the prime suspect! Simply by volunteering to be a concerned citizen he became a prime suspect. Oh, I'm not finished yet. I must continue to let those people who believe that attempting to assist the police is "always" a good idea hear the rest.

Mr. Foster was asked to take a lie detector test after his "civic duty." Now all who read my articles are aware of the fact that I advised never, ever take a lie detector test! Why? They are not accurate! Anyway, Mr. Foster took the lie detector test and FAILED! Yes he failed even though later he was proved innocent! Do you know what happened next?  

Mr. Foster was watched and followed for weeks by police detectives! So much so that his comings and goings were aired by television stations covering the events. His picture was shown by various media outlets and do you know what they portrayed? They portrayed that he was possibly the serial killer! What an injustice!

Eventually they located and arrested the real serial killer but Mr. Foster life was never the same again. He was devastated  by these events.

Now do you see what I mean? Volunteering information to the police can get you in trouble, period. I'm not attempting to tell you don't performed your civic duty, that's your choice, but I'm only saying that your civic duty can cost you and get you in trouble. Are you willing to go through what Mr. Foster went through? I can recite many cases of police detectives turning the tables on actual innocent citizens attempting to do their "civic duty".

Some have said that I sound so anti-police at times They say, why sound so hard? Believe me, I'm not anti-police, I'm just pro-public! I fully support all good officers, but I'll do all that's within my power to expose bad police officers as well as their unfair tactics. I have a personal stake in this. I have daughters and grand-daughters.

One or two of you might say, aren't you a christian? Are you a bit self righteous? Shouldn't you be more forgiving? Being a christian and reporting bad police officers and their tactics are two different subjects. Wait until a bad police officer strikes you in your face for no reason, or charged you with a false charge, or plant drugs in your vehicle or rapes you or your young child! Then come back to me and lets see how forgiving you will feel at that time!

I forgive anyone if there is clear remorse, change, modification, or repentance. You know what makes me feel good? When my many readers tell me that my articles have actually help saved their lives or assisted them in some way! I've worked with police officers, ex police officers, teachers, and other authors to solve this problem. 


Don't put yourself in the position of Mr. Foster! By the way, read my book called COP OUT and see where I'm coming from. If you haven't read the book you haven't a clue about why this subject is near and dear. Who am I? I'm a former bad cop who has dedicated his life to revealing bad, corrupt, rogue, and unrepentive bad cops. We must all work together and prevent crime.

Drive safe, report bad cops, respect good cops, and arrive home safe!