The short answer is no. Although law enforcement officers are generally well-meaning and hope to make the Florida roads and highways safer places for everyone, there are a few bad apples in every bunch - even in police departments. In some jurisdictions, the push for more drunk driving arrests has led to internal complaints from other police officers, numerous charges dropped by state attorneys with insufficient evidence, and even lawsuits by innocent people who were falsely accused of driving under the influence.
A few years ago, one such police officer came to light in Florida. Salvatore Mattino, of the North Palm Beach police department, was noted for his consistently high numbers of DUI arrests. Local civic organizations commended him for his service. He received awards for the number of arrests. Inside the police department and even Mattino's own patrol car, however, it appears that things were not as rosy as they seemed.
"Sal Mattino's car stops were very questionable. He's a good person. But just because you're a good person doesn't make you a good tactical police officer," says a former police officer who served alongside Mattino before becoming Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy, Ira Peskowitz. During one of Mattino's arrests, he fought with another officer about whether to go through with it, and Mattino's supervisor later told him, "I'm tired of officers complaining about you and your DUI arrests."
What was the problem? Apparently, Mattino had brought in a number of suspects, saying that they failed roadside field sobriety tests. When they got to the station, they showed no alcohol in their bodies at all, according to the breathalyzer machine. Nonetheless, some were detained to collect urine samples - which did not show the presence of any intoxicating substance whatsoever.
Whether or not Officer Mattino is overzealous is a matter for the community to consider. In the meantime, it appears that he still serves on the force.
A few years ago, one such police officer came to light in Florida. Salvatore Mattino, of the North Palm Beach police department, was noted for his consistently high numbers of DUI arrests. Local civic organizations commended him for his service. He received awards for the number of arrests. Inside the police department and even Mattino's own patrol car, however, it appears that things were not as rosy as they seemed.
"Sal Mattino's car stops were very questionable. He's a good person. But just because you're a good person doesn't make you a good tactical police officer," says a former police officer who served alongside Mattino before becoming Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy, Ira Peskowitz. During one of Mattino's arrests, he fought with another officer about whether to go through with it, and Mattino's supervisor later told him, "I'm tired of officers complaining about you and your DUI arrests."
What was the problem? Apparently, Mattino had brought in a number of suspects, saying that they failed roadside field sobriety tests. When they got to the station, they showed no alcohol in their bodies at all, according to the breathalyzer machine. Nonetheless, some were detained to collect urine samples - which did not show the presence of any intoxicating substance whatsoever.
Whether or not Officer Mattino is overzealous is a matter for the community to consider. In the meantime, it appears that he still serves on the force.
