WA troopers to be suspended over fake diplomas

This is crazy. Isn't being trustworthy core to a police officer's reputation? How can they not be fired for this?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010171346_apusdiplomamilltroopers1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

"Eight Washington State Patrol troopers who used diplomas from fake schools to try to claim pay raises will be suspended but not fired."

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
SPOKANE, Wash. —

Eight Washington State Patrol troopers who used diplomas from fake schools to try to claim pay raises will be suspended but not fired.

The State Patrol reversed itself Friday and decided to modify a recommendation from August that the troopers be dismissed.State Patrol spokesman Jeff DeVere said further investigation revealed no clear intent by the troopers to deceive the agency into higher pay because they did not know the schools were not accredited.

"But it was certainly not good judgment," DeVere said.

After the firing recommendation in August, the troopers were given a chance to meet with administrators to explain their actions, DeVere said.

No criminal charges were filed.

The suspensions will range from three to 10 days without pay, DeVere said.

The troopers had been suspended with pay since last October pending the investigation, he said.

The troopers will return to work starting next week. Because they have been off the job so long, they will have to undergo firearm and driver training, DeVere said.

The State Patrol discovered the disputed diplomas after conducting a routine review of personnel files.

DeVere said the diplomas in question came from places like the University of Alameda that were not accredited. Some of the fake schools were so sophisticated they had official-looking web sites and even alumni newsletters, he said.

DeVere has said troopers earn a 2 percent raise for a two-year degree and a 4 percent raise for a four-year degree with another 2 percent for a master's.

The investigation moved the State Patrol to modify its practices to avoid any recurrence, he said.

 

Jail please

They should do time, like 10 to 50 years. WE NEED A NEW LAW

 

So, let's examine the punishment these officers got for using fake degrees. Suspension with pay since last October (1 year paid vacation), and now maybe 10 days of no pay. Is this a deterrent or an incentive? And the honest troopers who were pulling up their slack basically had to work more hours only to see their brethren getting paid for being dishonest, and now they're getting a slap on the wrist.

The article mentions a particular diploma mill. If these officers aren't capable of recognizing a diploma mill, maybe they shouldn't be trusted by the public to recognize the law at all. And if they did know it was a diploma mill, more the reason they shouldn't be trusted to uphold the law. I hope the people of Washington speak out about this to their representatives...

 

Here is the thing Bazoonkers. These guys commited out and out fraud in the attempt to gain raises (monetary gain). What other kinds of things are they doing? Sleeping on the job? Skimming drugs from drug busts? I can go on and on.

They need to start cracking down on this crap! Ridiculous.

Abner

 

My thoughts, John/Jane doe get 1,2,3,5,10 for a crime

Poilce office get the same X 10

Why - because they are the law and they have a duty to protect......

Fired up and ready to go

 

That's unacceptable. I'm glad they were found out. Didn't several people in the Clinton administration do something similar and have to resign as well?

 

What a great reputation my hometown has within the education circles. Wow:


Diploma mill ringleader pleads guilty
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=14288

Spokane a 'hot spot' for dubious degrees
Experts say schools offer diplomas of questionable worth for a few hundred dollars and little effort
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=113003&ID=s1448614

When I was working for DHS/CIS I worked on a case researching through files to see if H1-B visa holders had used this Spokane area mill to gain entry into the country illegally.

Yech.

 

I feel your pain from SpoVegas.

 

Actually I really like it here, too bad there aren't very many decent jobs.

I spent a year out at EWU, great school. I actually lived in Dresden for a quarter, I sure had a lot of fun. My wife graduated as an Eagle from the Journalism program.