There is a running commentary over at The World regarding the arrest of CPD Officer Randy Ulmer who admitted to converting seized property to his own use. Some are questioning the merit of his work as an officer with respect to the issuance of citations and arrests.
While there is some argument that his own criminal actions do not alter the acts of those to whom he issued citations it does call into question his testimony at any trial. So often in court it is the word of the officer against the accused and the honesty of the officer is a serious concern. Absolutely if an officer is capable of betraying the public trust in the manner in which Ulmer has done there is little reason to doubt this same officer would have any qualms about stretching the truth to secure a conviction.
Ulmer’s actions call into question the validity of any case he testified in and as the senior officer, I believe it raises serious doubts about the entire department. Ulmer trained many of the officers at CPD and while the other officers may not consider absconding with cash from the evidence locker they may consider acts of omission to secure a conviction as ‘proper police procedure’.
Whether Ulmer’s purported gambling addiction led to his current downfall or not remains to be seen, but if I were convicted based upon his word over mine, I would be challenging that conviction right now.
