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| NEWS > 07 July 2009 |
Other related articles:
Rogue cops: Chicago's financia
If an employee's misconduct cost a private company millions of dollars or caused public embarrassment, that employee would be fired. No doubt about it.
But no such punishment faces Chicago police officers found liable for abusing the people they have sworn to serve and protect. Instead of firing those cops, the city keeps paying the victims -- hundreds of millions of dollars over the years -- for beatings, false arrests or illegal searches. And the cops get to keep their jobs. How much more will it cost before the city gets rid of rogue cops?
''Nothing is ever done'' to a... Read more
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 Article sourced from
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Telegraph.co.uk - United Kingd
07 July 2009
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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South Wales Police, UK
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UK: Policeman sold bootleg cop
A policeman obsessed by the American rock star Bruce Springsteen ended up in court when he decided to sell bootleg copies of his hero's music and made a profit of more than £22,000.
Pc Dewi Jones set up a profitable online business selling illicit copies of CDs and DVDs of Springsteen’s music to fans around the world.
He was only caught when police and trading standards officers were tipped off about the internet site and traced it back to a serving officer.
Jones, 44, now faces the sack from South Wales Police and could forfeit his home to pay back the money he made.
He pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to two charges of distributing illicit recordings in the course of a business and 10 charges of making illicit recordings for sale without consent.
Ben Blakemore, prosecuting, said Jones - who was described as a highly respected officer - had used Springsteen’s music as an emotional crutch.
“Pc Jones is a huge fan of the iconic performer who provided him with solace during a difficult period in his life,” he told the court.
“He says Springsteen was his reason for getting out of bed in the morning and he was somebody who gave him an impetus to carry on with his life.”
Mr Blakemore said Jones had sold his illegal recordings on eBay and on his own website called bruce-springsteen-bootlegs.com.
After the authorities were notified, Jones was questioned and told police he became “utterly obsessed” with Springsteen after seeing him in concert in 1988.
The police officer sold the CDs for £7 each and more than 3,500 copies were found at his home in Margam Village, Port Talbot, including hits Born to Run, Dancing in the Dark and Born in the USA.
Mr Blakemore said: “He felt the fans were having to pay vastly inflated prices and he was providing them with a cheaper alternative.”
Stephen Rees, defending, said his client was driven by a desire to make the music more affordable and accessible.
“He wanted the grass root fans to be able to obtain these recordings at a reasonable price. He is a highly respected serving police officer of impeccable character.”
Judge Peter Rouch QC gave Jones a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered him to pay costs of £2,950 and issued a confiscation order for £22,527 to be paid within six months.
He warned that if he defaulted, Jones would be jailed for 18 months.
Mr Rees said the officer, who is facing disciplinary proceedings by South Wales Police, will “have to sell the family home to meet the costs and compensation”.
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “An internal misconduct process will now take place and will consider what further action the force will take in relation to this case.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further whilst this is underway.”
On Jones’ website yesterday, a message said: “Although I can’t condone the making or distribution of illicit recordings (bootlegs), I think I can still wish you 'good luck in your search’, without fear of being hauled before the courts.”
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