Editorial: Task forces need revamping

Abolishment a knee-jerk reaction

Posted: Saturday, April 26, 2003

The controversial 1999 Tulia drug sting seems to have stung law enforcement.

The decision earlier this month by retired state District Judge Ron Chapman urging the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to grant new trials to 38 defendants related to the sting has opened the door to serious debate on the nature of law enforcement practices.

When Chapman ruled that undercover officer Tom Coleman was not a "credible" witness, the criticism of many with an interest in the case was confirmed.

Coleman's questionable testimony, the sole bit of evidence against the defendants, was simply not enough to justify the punishment the defendants received.

Considering the judge's ruling and Coleman's actions on the stand, the concern was warranted.

However, the backlash against law enforcement has reached an extreme.

The ripple effect of the Tulia drug sting has many people calling for the abolishment of Texas' regional drug task forces, such as the Panhandle Regional Narcotics Trafficking Task Force.

The task forces have come under attack from legislators, lawyers and civil-rights groups for the practices and methods used to combat illegal drug activity.

The Tulia drug sting has provided them with plenty of ammunition.

What is needed is more accountability and responsibility, not the eradication of the state's drug task forces.

For example, had Coleman been able to provide verifiable evidence, such as video or audiotape of illegal drug activity, perhaps the legal and societal nightmare of justice in Tulia could have been avoided. It has become apparent corroborating evidence is a necessity in such a case.

In order for the drug task forces to perform their roles adequately, the tactics and methods must be addressed.

Wearing a wire could jeopardize the safety of an undercover officer, but it is a dangerous job in the first place.

If the function of law enforcement, in this case Texas' regional drug task forces, is to be recognized and respected, then the law must be enforced fairly and adequately without question to methodology.

If this means changing the rules, then the rules must be changed.