When the law is above the law

Let's take a moment to connect a few dots.

First, consider the Review-Journal's comprehensive and enlightening series on police shootings. It makes an air-tight case that for all the good delivered to the public by law enforcement in Southern Nevada, something's dreadfully amiss in our ability to identify and root out problem officers.

Second, recall that the Clark County district attorney straddles a thin line with police misconduct. On the one hand the DA defends the police department and on the other he must prosecute the police when necessary. The current DA, David Roger, will retire in January and probably go to work as the attorney for the police union.

Third, the police union in Clark County wields a big stick in local elections, especially those in and around law enforcement. Candidates for sheriff, the DA and local District Court judges have little to no chance of winning without the support of the union.

Fourth, even when police officers are caught red-handed performing criminal acts, officers often receive unbelievable breaks in this kind of political/judicial environment. Consider this story about an officer who bilked and robbed an elderly man. Read carefully what the officer did and you tell me, how did the judge allow this guy to walk out of the courtroom on probation?

I want to be clear here. I'm not pointing fingers at any one DA, judge or officer. I'm only saying that the results that this long-standing system produces ought to raise significant concern among the good and thoughtful people of Nevada.

Am I wrong here?