News of the reinstatement of Pennsylvania State Trooper Nicholas Hood sends a message that’s hard to miss: There appears to be one standard for law enforcement and another for everyone else (“State trooper found not guilty of domestic violence back on duty,” April 7, TribLive).
A jury acquitted him of domestic violence charges, but a protection-from-abuse order remains in effect. For most people, that would be a career-altering reality. Here, it seems little more than a speed bump.
The circumstances raise troubling questions. The matter gained renewed attention only after a local newspaper began asking questions, creating the impression that public scrutiny — not accountability — drove action.
A more reasonable approach would have been restricted duty and independent review until the protection order expires. Instead, the system appears to have provided flexibility rarely available to ordinary citizens.
And here is the uncomfortable question no one seems eager to answer: Why should women feel confident reporting abuse if the officer assigned to investigate their case is under a court order stemming from similar allegations? Even without a criminal conviction, the optics — and the trust gap — are impossible to ignore.
But maybe that’s the lesson here. If you want due process with a cushion, a second look and a soft landing, you might consider a career in law enforcement. It seems the benefits package is better than advertised.
Dave Sacks
Hunker