Policing for profit

"...Officers take more than just cash.

According to Oklahoma City Police records, officers have seized cars, computers, guns, televisions, stereos, appliances and vacuums.

Police often suspect these items were paid for with drug money; that is why they are seized.

In 2009, OCPD seized 450 cases of cash, 160 vehicles, 3 computers, 10 televisions and 8 sets of wheels and tires.

However, critics, like defense attorney Scott Adams, report seing more and more cases of asset forfeiture that do not involve any illegal drugs.

Adams says, "These people have no narcotics on them at all and no drug past whatsoever. They're having their money taken from them and who it's really affecting are the minorities."

According to a national study, the asset forfeiture fund at the Department of Justice is as high as it has ever been; it topped $1 billion for the first time in 2008.

The proplem many critics point out is that in approximately 80 percent of those federal cases, the so-called suspect was never even charged with a crime.

Some prosecutors say that's because small fish are turned lose to help catch the big fish.

In Oklahoma City, the asset forfeiture fund is close to $5 million.

Chief Citty says, "The primary goal is to get drug dealers off the street. The primary goal is to discourage drug dealing."

With civil forfeiture cases, if no one attempts to claim the seized property or if the court awards it to the state, that money goes directly into police coffers.

In Oklahoma City, the police department gets approximately 80 percent of asset forfeiture profits. The district attorney's office gets about 20 percent.

Critics say police officers have all the motivation in the World to seize large amounts of expensive property. ..."

~ more... ~