Virginia Sheriff Says Officers Must Have Sex with Prostitutes To Get Evidence

Gives new meaning to the motto "to protect and to serve":

Spotsylvania County Sheriff Howard Smith said he stands by the practice of allowing detectives to receive sexual services in the course of their investigations so they can catch suspects in the act.

He said actual sex acts are needed to help win prostitution convictions.

[...]

He said most prostitutes are careful not to say anything incriminating, which makes sexual contact necessary.

So he's saying police officers have to break the law to enforce the law. Uh huh.

But here's the kicker:

When police used similar tactics in the past in Montgomery County, Md., the charges ended up being dropped.

So what's the point of having their jollies, er, doing their job -- puny pun, I know, I know -- for the good of the community if the charges are dropped, anyway?

In all seriousness, this is ridiculous. There's a simple solution to this problem. Stop criminalizing the oldest profession and make it legal. That way, it can be regulated like any other business and its sleazier elements rooted out.

Meanwhile, members of law enforcement won't have to debase themselves and waste time better spent in pursuing more serious types of criminal activity.

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