Trooper fired.

**keith720** · 09-04-11, 01:51 PM

I find it hard to feel sorry for the guy. He was caught on video, in full uniform "doing the nasty."

"The New Mexico State Police officer who was photographed having sex on the hood of a Honda is no longer a cop.

Bert Lopez was informed late this week that the Department of Public Safety has fired him, The New Mexican has learned.

It is unclear when that decision was made as agency spokesman Sgt. Tim Johnson has declined to comment until all appeals have been exhausted.

"It is an embarrassing situation for the department, but we have to remember the rights of the employee afford him due process we must follow so we won't be commenting further," Johnson said."

The real shame is that this guy was, by all other measures, a good cop.

**Cidp24** · 09-04-11, 01:58 PM

Somebody on here has a real good philosophy called the "6 o'clock rule". Don't do anything that you would not want to see on the 6 o'clock news.

I can't remember what member posted that quote in the past but it's a good one.

**Jks9199** · 09-04-11, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Cidp24

Somebody on here has a real good philosophy called the "6 o'clock rule". Don't do anything that you would not want to see on the 6 o'clock news.

I can't remember what member posted that quote in the past but it's a good one.

Does it suck that a momentary lapse in judgement (I hope it was momentary) cost an otherwise good officer his job? Yes.

But then again, I kind of have to wonder what he did that he got away with. If we generally figure it ain't the first time when we deal with a shoplifter... doesn't it stand to reason that he probably got away with other bad judgement?

I like the Six o'Clock News Rule aka Headline Rule. If you don't want it in the headlines -- don't do it. Or... I just thought of the Mama Rule: If you wouldn't want to explain it to your Mama, then maybe you don't want to do it.

**lewisipso** · 09-04-11, 03:45 PM

I hope that wasn't the only thing that hung him out. Hopefully there was some kind of history leading up to this. Stupid? You betcha. Embarrassing? Damn straight. Fire him for it? Hmmm.

**Buttercup** · 09-04-11, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

I hope that wasn't the only thing that hung him out. Hopefully there was some kind of history leading up to this. Stupid? You betcha. Embarrassing? Damn straight. Fire him for it? Hmmm.

I agree.

**keith720** · 09-04-11, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Jks9199

Does it suck that a momentary lapse in judgement (I hope it was momentary) cost an otherwise good officer his job? Yes.

But then again, I kind of have to wonder what he did that he got away with. If we generally figure it ain't the first time when we deal with a shoplifter... doesn't it stand to reason that he probably got away with other bad judgement?

I like the Six o'Clock News Rule aka Headline Rule. If you don't want it in the headlines -- don't do it. Or... I just thought of the Mama Rule: If you wouldn't want to explain it to your Mama, then maybe you don't want to do it.

I'd be willing to bet this wasn't the first time. It's a shame that an otherwise good officer let himself get caught,( quite literally) with his pants down, but it demonstrates a definate lack of judgement.

**MacLean** · 09-05-11, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

I hope that wasn't the only thing that hung him out. Hopefully there was some kind of history leading up to this. Stupid? You betcha. Embarrassing? Damn straight. Fire him for it? Hmmm.

How many times do you have to make a stupid decision of that magnitude before your judgement becomes questionable?

**Motorwaycop** · 09-05-11, 09:58 AM

Its called "misconduct in a public office". A few cops have been done for it here.
It can actually buy you jail time never mind your job.

**lewisipso** · 09-05-11, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by MacLean

How many times do you have to make a stupid decision of that magnitude before your judgement becomes questionable?

Believe me I agree. I just would not like to see this to be the first issue and that be the penalty. A pattern of questionable judgement is definitely a consideration of termination. How many times is left up to the agency. I simply do not agree with this type of situation, especially a first time, being a termination. Just my opinion.

**Jks9199** · 09-05-11, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

Believe me I agree. I just would not like to see this to be the first issue and that be the penalty. A pattern of questionable judgement is definitely a consideration of termination. How many times is left up to the agency. I simply do not agree with this type of situation, especially a first time, being a termination. Just my opinion.

Sometimes, it's also how the employee responds when confronted. Denial, even in the face of evidence, and they may not be able work past it. My chief has told me that his decisions on discipline are often shaped by attitude. If you're taking the screw up seriously, and show him an attitude that says you'll learn from it and want to get past it -- you may get off on the lighter end of the discipline scale. But an attitude of "it was no big deal..." and you may get hammered.

**Motorwaycop** · 09-05-11, 02:48 PM

Having spent 30 yrs on the bottom rung of the ladder I have learnt just to say "yes sir, no sir" when being given a bollocking (even if I didn't think it warranted)

**jcsdscott** · 09-05-11, 06:34 PM

Apparently this guy was not just any trooper, but he was trooper of the year last year in his district. It's sad to see this happen to him, even though his lapse in judgement merited some kind of discipline. I saw a news channel's report on it, and basically the media had hung him out to dry already, leaving the brass with few acceptable alternatives for resolving this issue.

Somebody said it in another thread, the badge will get you the kitty but the kitty will get your badge.