06-10-2008, 12:05 AM
Saturday's Editorial, made for some intersting reading.
Published: June 6, 2008
Coming from a family with a very long history in law enforcement, I find it very hard to understand why Chief Tom Dettman would expect his son to receive any type of special treatment when he is breaking the law.
I have parents, siblings, uncles and cousins that were and are in law enforcement. Never once did I, nor my family, expect special treatment when I was in the wrong! I've been pulled over for speeding or "coasting" through a stop sign and because of who my family are, has gotten me out of it but, I have also received tickets for these things.
I'm older now and a lot more responsible when it comes to my driving habits. I never once went to my family and asked them to take care of it. I also have never thrown in anyone's face as to who my family is. My parents would have never allowed it.
My siblings and I were always told growing up that if we do the crime we will do the time. Our parents would have expected whatever law enforcement agency we were in trouble with to treat us just as any other citizen would have been treated.
He is the chief of the Sebring Police Department and he knows the laws. If his son is breaking them, then he needs to face the music and suck it up. I don't think he would have this much sympathy for any other citizen who was treated this way.
I just find it a shame that the chief wants his son to be handled differently than any other citizen of Highlands County. I'm really sorry that the sheriff's office is having to deal with this because I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of the law enforcement officers here in our county. I believe they do an excellent job and I feel safer at night because of them and unfortunately, Chief Dettman is now trying to give them a bad name. I say "Good for you" for not giving his son any special treatment. He needs to grow up.
Douglas Harris
Sebring
Published: June 6, 2008
Coming from a family with a very long history in law enforcement, I find it very hard to understand why Chief Tom Dettman would expect his son to receive any type of special treatment when he is breaking the law.
I have parents, siblings, uncles and cousins that were and are in law enforcement. Never once did I, nor my family, expect special treatment when I was in the wrong! I've been pulled over for speeding or "coasting" through a stop sign and because of who my family are, has gotten me out of it but, I have also received tickets for these things.
I'm older now and a lot more responsible when it comes to my driving habits. I never once went to my family and asked them to take care of it. I also have never thrown in anyone's face as to who my family is. My parents would have never allowed it.
My siblings and I were always told growing up that if we do the crime we will do the time. Our parents would have expected whatever law enforcement agency we were in trouble with to treat us just as any other citizen would have been treated.
He is the chief of the Sebring Police Department and he knows the laws. If his son is breaking them, then he needs to face the music and suck it up. I don't think he would have this much sympathy for any other citizen who was treated this way.
I just find it a shame that the chief wants his son to be handled differently than any other citizen of Highlands County. I'm really sorry that the sheriff's office is having to deal with this because I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of the law enforcement officers here in our county. I believe they do an excellent job and I feel safer at night because of them and unfortunately, Chief Dettman is now trying to give them a bad name. I say "Good for you" for not giving his son any special treatment. He needs to grow up.
Douglas Harris
Sebring