Surveillance Video Catches TSA Thief, Wendy Swanson

Story undated (originally posted 26 January 2005)

"Police released new surveillance video of a Spokane TSA Screener convicted of stealing [prescription] drugs out of passenger's luggage. Screener Wendy Swason's co-workers turned her in for swiping pain killers out of the bags she was supposed to be searching for explosives." This is unacceptable behavior. Anyone who would use their position of authority to steal from people or unjustly deprive them of liberty ought to be sent to jail. You have to understand my position. I am not anti-law enforcement. I am very supportive of our law-enforcement personnel when they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. However, when they make a mistake, or engage in malfeasance, I hold them to a much higher standard of behavior than I would an average citizen. This is because these people's action have legal consequences for private citizens that simply don't come into play in dealings among private citizens. If a criminal breaks into your house and threatens your family, you can shoot him. If a dirty cop breaks (forces his way in under color of authority) into your house and threatens your family, you can still shoot him, but you'll probably go to jail because of the special protections that law enforcement personnel are given. I don't mind these people having special privileges, but punishment for malfeasance ought to be proportionally higher.

posted by The Sovereign Editor | 3:50 PM

_____________________________________________