The overwhelming majority of Orlando police officers are true public servants who deserve the highest regard of everyone whom they protect. However, in recent days, the public has received a cold reminder that all officers are not as respectable as most. Two former members of the OPD have been fired for an illegal pursuit of a vehicle. According to a recent Orlando Sentinel story, the men followed a vehicle without informing their dispatcher or other officers in December of last year. To make the incident even more disturbing, they tried to cover up their unprofessional behavior.
At a time when relations between the public and law enforcement officers are already strained throughout the country, this type of unprofessional behavior is hard to comprehend: was it a simple mistake? A malicious action? Regardless, everyone in law enforcement should reassure the public that their trust is well placed.