Decertify defiant officers
 
Opinion
The Spectrum
 
We place a great deal of trust in our police officers. We see them in our daily lives in our communities. We count on them to keep us safe. They are role models for local youth. Police officers are a powerful symbol of our collective belief in the rule of law, and we therefore expect them to follow the laws.

That's why it's hard to have any respect for the men who currently call themselves "law enforcement officers" in the twin polygamist border communities of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz. They do not appear to have any regard for the rule of law.

Hildale/Colorado City Marshal Fred Barlow and his deputies have refused to help "outsiders" such as Bruce Wisan, the state appointed trustee for the United Effort Plan. Wisan has been trying to help the people of the two communities by sorting out who has a right to what private property. Wisan has met with stonewalling and less than energetic efforts when he has made requests of Barlow and his staff.

For example, when asked in a deposition, Barlow has claimed to know little about the names and addresses of various people in the community, even though he has lived there his whole life.

The reason these "policemen" have been performing their jobs so poorly apparently has nothing to do with aptitude, and everything to do with attitude. At least one deputy has stated in a deposition that FLDS leaders have told the local cops to disregard any requests or instructions from Wisan.

If these men feel it is more important to obey the instructions of their religious leaders than to follow the law, then they have no business drawing a paycheck as police officers. In their own personal lives they may believe what they want with regard to whether God's laws trump those of man, but when they take a sworn oath to uphold the law, the laws of our civil society must come first.

Marshal Barlow and his deputies need to cooperate with Wisan and follow the laws of the land. If they do not feel that their religious beliefs will allow them to do so, then the honorable thing to do would be to resign. If they will not take that step, the states of Utah and Arizona should pursue decertification proceedings against them.

Every community needs, and deserves, cops who don't put themselves above the law.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published March 31, 2006
 
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