Dirty cops exposed: cut to front of PS3 line

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 7th 2006 at 4:55PM }

A pair of greedy Rhode Island police officers have been accused of skipping the line that formed outside of Providence Place Mall's Sony Style retail store on PlayStation 3's launch day. Two security guards allowed the officers, along with five others, to move past those who had gathered earlier. The guards have since been dismissed from employment, and the officers now face punishments handed down by their respective police departments.

One of the officers has admitted to his superiors that he cut the line, but believes in using his authority to do so, he has done nothing wrong. "I just beg to differ. We think he did something very wrong," expressed a concerned Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman. "He's been identified and he's going to be disciplined."

The second officer, of Warick, is currently under investigation. "If the facts bear out these allegations, we will take disciplinary action against the officer," declared Warwick Police Chief Steve McCartney. If you were chief, how would you punish these jerks?

Tags: launch06, PS3, Sony Style, SonyStyle

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

D @ Dec 7th 2006 5:04PM

plunger rape.

Shaterri @ Dec 7th 2006 4:59PM

If you were chief, how would you punish these jerks?

...force them to play their PS3s instead of eBaying them?

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist...)

pete @ Dec 7th 2006 5:00PM

you know it sucks but this is pretty much as far as its gonna go, nothing will happen to them, they will stay on the force get promoted and retire with a gold rolex.

BklynKid @ Dec 7th 2006 5:00PM

Fuckin pigs...

jojo29 @ Dec 7th 2006 5:01PM

I would fire them with NO pension:)

90% of cops are crooked and 10% are 'good'. very sad these days

IggyChaotix @ Dec 7th 2006 5:00PM

If they actually got the PS3's, they should be beaten with them.

Lion @ Dec 7th 2006 5:01PM

If I were Chief, they'd get a two-week suspension without pay ... So that they can play their PS3's. Seriously, the fact that one of the officers thinks he did something wrong is an indication of a very serious problem with the culture in his department. Abuse of authority is ALWAYS wrong. A badge shouldn't put you at the front of the line for a video game system.

Jose @ Dec 7th 2006 5:03PM

Although the damage has been done, and if they did get their hands on those consoles, that means there were people who went without. It'd be nearly impossible to track them down, so you can't just have them give them back.

They need to do lots of community service, perhaps a $2,000 pay deduction (for what the PS3 would cost on Ebay), and have to work the most degrading police work known to law enforcement: campus cop at a High School. That, and no shooting or tasing of innocent people for at least a month.

Lion @ Dec 7th 2006 5:03PM

Sorry; I meant "nothing wrong". The fact that one of the officers thinks he did NOTHING wrong is an indication of a very serious problem with the culture in his department.

Zediker @ Dec 7th 2006 5:34PM

If it were me, I would cut their pay for a year and assign a mandatory of 80 hours of community service.

pete @ Dec 7th 2006 5:07PM

lol @#9. i would say a tire iron, but to each his own

Derbeste @ Dec 7th 2006 5:08PM

And the cops wonder why we call them "pigs"....

It's cuz their all dirty.

The chief must know the effect this incident is going to have on the reputation of his entire precinct. And since this story already seems to be getting some decent press, there will be some hell to pay.

1) First off, I'd make the cops RETURN the PS3s.

2) At least 2 weeks off with no pay.

3) And most importantly, I'd make them do community service for those two weeks AT THE STORE in which the incident occurred....in full uniform.

Hey...they embarrased their precinct. It's only fair that they should be embarrased in return.

Matt @ Dec 10th 2006 11:29AM

I live in RI...The Sony Style store is gay...They kicked me out because I was under 18....I doubt that was legal either since it is in the mall and the mall is a public place. I was looking at laptop I thought on getting, didn't touch it.

Anyways, I would require them to give up thier PS3 to charity, Donate $600 to Charity or go a week without pay

Qtrain2Bklyn @ Dec 7th 2006 5:14PM

I'd make them eat doughnuts with mod chips in them!

X @ Dec 7th 2006 5:14PM

Hypocrites!!! Everyone of you would do the same if you had a chance.

Jordan @ Dec 7th 2006 5:15PM

if i were the chief, i wouldn't give them a pay cut, or a suspension: i'd just force them to watch as i bludgeoned their ps3s with a baseball bat, leaving them short $600 that they previously had.

yo moma @ Dec 7th 2006 5:21PM

This is a toy we're talking about, right? A ferking video game console? There are bigger problems on this planet. Who gives a flying ferk that a cop jumps line. Everybody in that, or any other line, would have done the same given the choice. It's a perk of the job, just as it is to wear the silly uniform and earn $30,000 a year while being spit on in crowd control situations...

Marty @ Dec 7th 2006 5:21PM

Okay, not that I condone this kind of thing, since these guys are clearly using their position as public safety officers to gain better treatment, but since when is it against the law to cut in line? Are we in pre-school?

Aden Nak @ Dec 7th 2006 5:19PM

They should be fired. It's that simple, and it has nothing to do with a PS3 (which I have no desire to own personally). It's a matter of principle. It's the fact that when authority deems itself outside of the set of rules that it exists to enforce, that set of rules is meaningless.

Of everyone any anyone at that mall, those cops should have known better. Actually, they did know better, they just chose to exercise their implied authority for personal gains.

Look, police officers have difficult and dangerous jobs. Of course they do. And as citizens, we ought to respect that. But likewise, they need to respect the responsibility of carrying a badge. It's not like it is a surprise when you join the police force that you will be asked to risk your life, nor is it a surprise that you are now acting as a representative of the government - of the people. It's their duty and their promise to act like it. Period.

Riggy469 @ Dec 7th 2006 5:20PM

"Fuckin pigs..."

"90% of cops are crooked and 10% are 'good'. very sad these days"

"And the cops wonder why we call them "pigs"....

It's cuz their all dirty."

Wow. Just wow.

I hope you guys sleep well tonight, knowing that the police will still respond to help you out if ever needed, despite the fact that you think so highly of us.

Most cops deserve a pat on the back. I work in a precinct of around 400 cops, and we have a few bad ones. Ultimately, they get what they deserve, which I can tell you is not a gold watch. These two should pay for what they did, and should get suspended without pay for at least a month. Maybe they will learn something from this, and so will the rest of their co-workers.

It's funny how when a few bad ones make the press, we all suck. Doesn't really work that way with other occupations though.

Scott @ Dec 7th 2006 5:23PM

I think you guys are blowing this WAAAY out of proportion. As if clerks at stores or other NON-police friends of Secuity guards at malls and other stores probably didn't do this AROUND the country.

Please let's not be ignorant, like most things these days: Sometimes you have to know someone. I remember a posting a few weeks ago, a person said (paraphrasing) - good thing my uncle is a manager at a Gamestop so I don't have to wait for a Wii or a PS3. nobody critizied him for that.

It's not like the police didn't pay for the systems. Also the posting is vague as to whether the 5 additional people were friends of the cops OR friends of the guards.

Anyway...depending on their previous service records, that will most likely decide the cops fates for whatever punishment they get. However, firing, fining and community service are NOT gonna happen.

And bringing up previous accounts of police misconduct (the plunger joke) and calling them pigs doesn't show any maturity at all from certain people here.

Derbeste @ Dec 7th 2006 5:23PM

" Hypocrites!!! Everyone of you would do the same if you had a chance."

Funny you should say that....

Because there are THOUSANDS of cops throughout the country.....

But only reports of TWO actually doing this.

So evidently not EVERYONE would do this that had the chance....just ASSHOLES.

Thank you for your confession.

crimemasterGogo @ Dec 7th 2006 5:29PM

Dont give a rat ass and the people who missed out should be happy

Jackson Pritt @ Dec 7th 2006 6:09PM

"Everybody in that, or any other line, would have done the same given the choice."

Man, that is total bullshit.
I was in a line for Wiis at a target in San Francisco last weekend, and everyone was well-behaved and very friendly. Nobody cut in line, nobody caused any trouble, and everyone was just happy to be there.

I don't know about Sony fans, but Nintendo fans seem to have an inherent sense of fairness that keeps them from doing mean-spirited things like that.

StoneGold @ Dec 7th 2006 5:28PM

Honestly, whatever the union would allow me to do. Like I'd have total oversight as chief to punish my officers over a relatively petty infraction like this. Be realistic, people.

DarknessRises @ Dec 7th 2006 5:29PM

I just love how joystiq doesn't edit or proof-read anything anymore. They should know the difference between have and has

Foetoid @ Dec 7th 2006 5:34PM

@1. If you were chief, how would you punish these jerks?

...force them to play their PS3s instead of eBaying them?

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist...)

Don't apologize, we're all thinking the same thing.

EihBeir @ Dec 7th 2006 7:03PM

Discipline? A bathroom stall and a broken broom handle.

ackmondual @ Dec 7th 2006 5:43PM

@ #21.
"" " Hypocrites!!! Everyone of you would do the same if you had a chance." ""

I think he was saying if any of US (Joystiq readers) were cops, or had the chance to jump ahead of lines through police authority or even through contacts with retailers that will carry those consoles, we would jump on the opportunity

StMadnes @ Dec 7th 2006 5:37PM

yeah, ok they were wrong for cuttng in line. But it's not like they committed a crime against humanity for crying out loud! Yeah i'd be pissed too if a couple of bullies in uniform just jumped ahead me in a line that i spent hours -or even days- at war with my own patience. But damn, what's with all the pork backlash?!!

Lucas @ Dec 7th 2006 5:45PM

Why not give them a choice... they can take a suspension from work and not get paid for a period of time, do community service, or they can give the PS3s up for charity and not get penalized at all?

"I hope you guys sleep well tonight, knowing that the police will still respond to help you out if ever needed, despite the fact that you think so highly of us."

Cops have never done me any favors, nor do I expect them to. The only thing I've seen cops do is abuse the authority they enforce onto others, especially when it comes to driving. I could give you many examples, but since you won't listen or you'll make excuses for them (one of the worst and most common authority abuses, protecting each other, no matter what the crime) I'll spare my fingers. Maybe one of these days I'll see one do something that makes me change my mind, but I doubt it. You wanna know someone that deserves accolades as a public servent? Look to your local fire department. They save lives without harassing the public or abusing authority.

Connor @ Dec 8th 2006 7:28PM

I'm from Providence and I have to say this is not out of the ordinary... we just roll with it here-- looonng history of mob ties. Still, though-- really funny and it's good they actually got caught. They should have to give their PS3s to charity.

ty @ Dec 7th 2006 6:58PM

"If you were chief, how would you punish these jerks?"

I would make them dress like ladies and make out.

x @ Dec 7th 2006 5:59PM

Sing with me...

Bad cops bad cops
Watcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do
when we come for you

Michael @ Dec 7th 2006 6:01PM

They made an error in judgment and made some people mad. They didn't kill anyone. A short suspension (perhaps week) along with being forced to auction off their PS3s with proceeds going to a charity such as Child's Play or similar would be enough to remind them that they screwed up.

NoHitHair @ Dec 8th 2006 3:21AM

#16

Cops are constantly deified in our society through nearly every medium, from cookie cutter movies about the gritty tough lives of our protectors in blue to commercials to even nearly all news media praising them simply for their choice of occupation. No human life is more deserving over another and most cops should hardly be given a "pat on the back" more than any other job holder in this country. Did you or any of your fellow officers sacrifice a high-paying job at Wall Street to patrol our streets? I highly doubt the profession of police officer is chosen because of a person's grandiose selfless devotion to protecting the innocent.

Last month where I live in Portland, two officers gunned down a 16 year old in the back and were given a paid vacation. A couple weeks ago, New Yorkers watched as trigger happy police unloaded on fleeing civilians. Much of my family lives in the Chicago area and each one of them admits to bribing, or having seen a bribery of, a cop (generally to escape tickets). I have a friend who spent 12 hours in a drunk tank simply for suspicion of petty theft. I can't count the amount of times I was pulled over during my formative driving years simply because I was DWT (Driving While Teenager).

Police officers have far too much unrestrained power in our society. I, and no one that I know, feel safe when a cop is nearby, all we feel is fear and unease. When was the last time anyone has seen our "finest" help someone with a flat tire on the side of the road? I haven't witnessed an act like that since I was a young child - they're more obsessed with meeting their state-imposed ticket quotas (which they're afraid to call "quotas" for legal reasons).

Cops aren't better than anyone else and we need to start realizing that.

Dave @ Dec 7th 2006 6:06PM

The fact that they can afford PS3s suggests to me that they need a pay cut.

jojo29 @ Dec 8th 2006 12:07PM

" hope you guys sleep well tonight, knowing that the police will still respond to help you out if ever needed, despite the fact that you think so highly of us.

Most cops deserve a pat on the back. I work in a precinct of around 400 cops, and we have a few bad ones. Ultimately, they get what they deserve, which I can tell you is not a gold watch. These two should pay for what they did, and should get suspended without pay for at least a month. Maybe they will learn something from this, and so will the rest of their co-workers.

It's funny how when a few bad ones make the press, we all suck. Doesn't really work that way with other occupations though."

Sorry there fella, but I personally have been harassed by you dirty pigs all my life. Nope i have NO PRIORS AT ALL, i graduated HS with a 4.0 GPA, and am currently attending CSUN. I have been pulled over for my 'tail light' being broken to which when i asked the officer to let me look at it as i didnt know he said no just stay in the car, to which later when he 'let me go' i checked out my perfectly working tail light.

Another incident was i got pulled over because my 'seat belt' looked too loose. WTF!

Another when i was waiting at the park to pick up my bro from softball practice i was thrown in the car for 'loitering' in the park!! WTF is that huh?

I've followed the rules all my life, never gotten into any trouble that would result in these harrassments, excluding the occasional speeding ticket here and there. 2 speeding tickets so far since i was 16, im 24 now so i think im doing pretty good.

So please excuse me if i dont think "highly" of your handfull of 'good cops' IF they exist at all.

Shoaib @ Dec 7th 2006 6:12PM

The damn pigsters got caught ridin' dirty :D

Jackson Pritt @ Dec 7th 2006 6:44PM

Also I have to agree with Lucas. I have never, ever had a cop do anything for me other than to harass and threaten me, and then ignore me when I called reporting break-ins to my car and noise violations by neighbors.

Maybe cops are good in other parts of the country, but here in San Francisco they're pretty useless.

Einhanderkiller @ Dec 7th 2006 6:17PM

People who cut in line should die.

GoPodular @ Dec 7th 2006 6:21PM

This is easy.

Fire them for abusing their positions. End of story. Having that on their employment record will hurt them more than anything else. (And it's exactly what they did.)

Omega2k3 @ Dec 9th 2006 5:05PM

Actually, if there weren't that many people in line, and the store had enough, nothing bad did happen here, they just got it like, what, a minute before the others? Woo.

Xian B. @ Dec 7th 2006 6:25PM

@#16, Riggy469,

Don't let it get to you. Some kids, they like to throw around whatever words they hear in a rap song, wear their hat a certain way, think it makes them hardcore. Then somebody breaks into their house and they find themselves in a dark closet wetting their pants as they frantically dial 9-1-1.

The rest of us more mature folk know the good you guys do, and the ratio of good cops to bad. I've never had to call the police for anything, but that's probably because the police are out and about to begin with. So thanks.

As for the line-jumpers, a police badge carries a responsibility to put the public's interest above one's own and to not take advantage of the uniform. Law enforcement is largely about ethics, and what they did was ethically reprehensible. For those saying, "You'd do it too!" No, I really wouldn't. And if you would then you are not a good person.

Brief suspension without pay and a public apology, and if they're nice they'll donate the PS3s to Child's Play or Toys For Tots.

Sloar @ Dec 7th 2006 6:26PM

All of you savages need to calm down. If I was in line behind those cops, yeah I'd be pissed. However, it's a video game system. All of you who are demanding they either be fired or suspended for a year without pay or have their fingertips bitten off need a serious dose of reality. Put the controller down and go outside to see how the world functions.

I recently attended an awards banquet for the highway patrol in my state. These are guys who risk their lives everyday to try and protect all of you ingrates. Show some class. They are better people than me because if I had to do what they do and got the respect from you all that you give them, believe me, I would probably be guilty of a lot more than cutting in line.

Lucas, Derbeste, jojo29, and BklynKid--quit trying to act like punk kids and grow up. Seriously, people like you piss me off more than some cop cutting in line.

Xeroderma @ Dec 7th 2006 6:34PM

Basically it comes down to this... Police officers are held to a higher standard than normal citizens. Thats how it works and if anyone tries to say otherwise is a fool.

Ideally they will be pubically punished for this as a result and an example will be made out of them, to some this is a minor thing and no big deal but when theyre supposed to be role models for the community and are held to a higher standard they need to be punished. Socially unnacceptable behavior is still unacceptable even if you wear a badge and a gun (it's worse).

Lucas @ Dec 7th 2006 6:39PM

Punk kid huh? Well that's a first.

"I recently attended an awards banquet for the highway patrol in my state. These are guys who risk their lives everyday to try and protect all of you ingrates."

And what does highway patrol do to risk their lives other than write tickets for people going 5mph over the limit? Oh yeah, that's right. They occaisionally stop to help stranded motorists. I do that too, and it's not even my *job* to do it. Does that make me a hero for risking my life?

"They are better people than me because if I had to do what they do and got the respect from you all that you give them, believe me, I would probably be guilty of a lot more than cutting in line."

Maybe you should join the force. Sounds like you're perfect cop material to me.