Who Say's The Police Don't Look Out for Their Own When Charged with A DUI

It looks like law enforcement is always tough on DUI, but when one of their own gets charged, it seems like the case against that individual officer is just not that strong. Friday's Chicago Tribune, recounts the outcome of a Mt. Vernon Law Enforcement Officer who had the DUI dismissed in exchange for a plea to a non-jailable offense.

March 13- Mount Vernon, Illinois

An Illinois State Police trooper initially accused of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol while operating a state-issued vehicle has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. 

Forty-seven-year-old Lyle Hicks pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Circuit Court to failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident last Oct. 18, when his car was found in a ditch. 

Perhaps the case against Trooper Hicks was weak and so the government ,er, People of the State of Illinois, as represented by the State Prosecutors agreed justice would be best achieved in this matter by prosecuting the offender for a minor traffic matter.  Apparently, the accident involved his vehicle being in a ditch, so I guess he does not even have to worry about being sued.

 

On a related note, I checked with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and yes, it is true that disgraced Top Chicago DUI Cop Joe Parker was charged with a DUI in Chicago back in 1996.  Yes, it is true, he was already on the police force at that time, but had not yet found his calling to charge citizens in Chicago with a DUI.  The charges against Officer Parker were dismissed back in 1997. I wonder if Trooper Hicks will follow in the footsteps of Officer Joe Parker and become a Top DUI cop now that his DUI charges have been dismissed.  I guess only time will tell.