Crash Victims Info

Bad cop behavior.?

My sister gor into a terrible accident and her car was completely wrecked because she got hit by a drunk driver, and she also broke her leg. After she was hit, she was helped out of the car by a man that stopped to help her and she sat on the side road while the police arrived. there were 4 cars involved in the accident so the cops were dealing with everyone and my sister had to sit there because she couldn't walk so she didn't see what was happening. Anyway, the police took out her personal belongings from the car including her purse. She had just taken out money from the bank and had an envelope with $600 in it. A different cop came by later and gave her this envelope (which was originally in her purse) and when my sister looked at it, it only had $400 in it. Should my sister act upon this, and if she does, is it likely that she will be believed, do cops just take advantage of crash victims who are in dire situations because they know that at the time, $200 isn't an important issue?

Public Comments

1. Yes, she should file a report. She will have to make a statement and sign it. These types of things are investigated by internal affairs. The police officers will have to make written statements as to their actions. There are dishonest police officers,and the honest police officers are happy to expose and eliminate the bad ones from the force.
2. Your sister should at least go to the police department and ask about it. Is she sure that the money was in there? Could it have falled out of the envelope and still be sitting in the car? Was there anyone else near the vehicle (I am sure there was since it was a 4 vehicle crash). She should not ASSume that the police officer stole the cash but try to figure out what happened to it.
3. I don't think this is common behavior for police officers, and it should be reported, in order to let the culprit know that this sort of service to the community won't be tolerated. .
4. yes, your sister should "act upon this". if the cops gave her her money back $200 short, then she needs to say something. that money is hers. and besides, i dont think the cops should have even taken her things out if it wasn't her fault. they should have searched the drunk driver's car, not hers.
5. YES! Please report this immediately. Ask to speak with a supervisor and tell them what happened. There is no officer who wants to work with a thief. There n=may be another person who was there "helping" other than the police who may have taken the money. Anyway, the police will conduct an investigation and hopefully you will find out what happened to the money.
6. i highly doubt they are gonna risk $30,000+/yr job over $200.
7. i totally believe you, and no i don't think they would believe your sister. no way is a cop going to admit taking money from someones car, cops are on a major power trip, its your word against theirs. sorry to hear that, i know i would be furious.
8. She should report it! Have her gather up all documentation that she can and go report it to the police chief, if that fails to get her satisfaction, then she should get the advice of a lawyer! The police should not have been rummaging through her purse at all since she was conscious and able to get her ID and or other papers out had the officer just handed her the purse, unopened!
9. She should file a report,keeping in mind the circumstances she was in at the time.
10. Although there are police departments with dishonest cops, I really doubt that a police officer would risk his career for 200. Secondly, if your sister didn't see anyone take it how does she know it was a cop that took it. There's a chance the money could have fallen out of the envelope or any number of things. However, if your sister feels like she was wronged file a report, just don't expect much to get done.