Deseret News | Reader comments: 21 officers are disciplined for misconduct

Reader comments
21 officers are disciplined for misconduct

I'm glad... | 12:34 a.m. June 10, 2008

...that officers are being held accountable for their conduct, just like the rest of us. I am aware of some in our area who should be investigated, and likely they will be, eventually. I used to really respect law inforcement officers, but after some very bad experiences with some of them over the past year and 1/2, it is hard for me to feel the same way. Too many times there has been the "good old boys" mentality in dealing with offending officers. I'm glad to see some of them being held accountable. My hat is off to the wife who is supporting her husband. I would do the same for mine, so I understand her thinking. Good luck to them both.

Thank GOD for forgiveness | 4:58 a.m. June 10, 2008

I am thankful HE is our ultimate judge.....

We who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

All of us have and will fall short of the glory of God without his GRACE and MERCY.....

If there is accountablity to be had.... give it... then let those who have faced their mistakes MOVE ON!!!!

mike | 6:00 a.m. June 10, 2008

While I don't condone the actions of former Chief Zamatakis. The punishment doesn't fit the offense. While these officers need to be held accountable for their actions, revoking the certification for an act of adultery is ridiculous.

Comments continue below

Robert | 6:09 a.m. June 10, 2008

Only 21?

Kingfish | 6:49 a.m. June 10, 2008

Zamatakis's major error was not so much adultery as it was LYING to investigators - he will never be able to testify in court without being challenged about his honesty.....

Bob | 7:32 a.m. June 10, 2008

Nobody's perfect. The courage to admit a mistake is a very important part of the process of improvement.

Too bad Doctors don't have the courage police officers have. That would put a lot of injury lawyers out of business and give their patients a lot more confidence in them.

Accountability | 7:44 a.m. June 10, 2008

If we are going to set these standards for police officers, shouldn't the same apply to any public servant, like judges, and elected officials?
If we applied the same standard to these people there would be a major cleansing of most state capitol buildings and certainly the white house.

Forgiveness | 8:12 a.m. June 10, 2008

Chief Zamatakis is a lucky man to have a wife that would support him like this. She has truly shown a great character and love for her husband. I would hope to do the same. I believe his punishment is enough to have this story printed up for all of us to read. Let him serve again but not as the chief.

RE: Mike | 8:44 a.m. June 10, 2008

Not only did Zamatakis lie during the POST investigation but most offices these days have policies about relationships with coworkers, especially involving a surperior. A company can't have a policy regarding adultery, but they can and should have one that restricts improper work relationships.

Anonymous | 8:56 a.m. June 10, 2008

With the exception of drug use; What these Officers do while they are off duty is none of the Police Brass Business. Their off duty time is their own prsonal time.

Cops in general | 8:57 a.m. June 10, 2008

To the cops who see their duty as protecting citizens and maintaining public stability and well being I applaud you. To the cops who forget the basic elements of human heart and give out cutthroat tickets that have no mercy, I can't stand the fact that our taxes pay for you. Of all organizations where there should be a mercy held stronger to justic, it is with 'law enforcement'. Heaven is an absence of a need for it and laws that are greater then the ones that are currently written.

James J. | 9:32 a.m. June 10, 2008

Are you kidding me, did we forget that he lied and cheated on his wife??? This police chief can never be trusted again. I am so sick of people making excuses for people who cheat on spouses. He made a solemn promise before god and his witnesses to never cheat, and he broke that promise. We need to get rid of people like this in public office, we canï¿½t trust these people.

Shaun | 9:46 a.m. June 10, 2008

I'm not as angry about the incident as James J., but i do believe that what a person does in their spare time does reflect a lot about a persons character. Especially a police officer. If they are willing and able to lie to a spouse and cheat with another married woman, what does that say about him. Police officers should be held to a higher standard than the rest of us. I'm glad that his license was revoked.

Jamie | 10:00 a.m. June 10, 2008

Police should be held to a higher standard than the public. if you are going to uphold the law you should in the very leaset obey it. Drug use is illegal for all and that includes police officers. I agree that at times police officers get away with a lot because of the "Good Ole Boy" mentality. I think that is why there are such ill feelings towards police in general. You cannot feel you are eligible to enforce the law if you yourself are not obeying it.

suzyk | 11:00 a.m. June 10, 2008

There is a saying that goes "You play, You Pay". That applies to everyone one, not a select few. I don't understand how people can be dishonest, immoral and really believe they will get away with it. My hat goes off to those in command that have charged these people. We can choose the sin but not the consequences, most generally. Keep up the good work. Hopefully they will learn to be morally clean, honest, etc.

Red Smith | 11:18 a.m. June 10, 2008

If officers are lying, they should be fired not slapped on the wrist

Re: Jamie | 1:07 p.m. June 10, 2008

I agree with Jamie above. If police officers want respect they need to respect all laws. They can't have it both ways if they want the public to trust them.

Sami | 1:26 p.m. June 10, 2008

To Red Smith:

What do you honestly think happens to them if their certification is suspended. Not only do they get fired, they cannot work in law enforcement at all.

To Jamie | 2:04 p.m. June 10, 2008

Yes we should be held to a higher standard and we already are but I find it ironic that those who hold us to higher standards also complain when we hold them as well. What do I mean, well issuing tickets. I have listened to alot of whinning on this board from people calling us all kinds of names for enforced the standard, road standards. How can all of you complain about being held to a standard that is posted along the road but you still cant follow it. It is okay to hold us to higher standards but integrity comes from people who hold those standards themselves. So if you are on this board complaining about officer standards just make sure you are at or above their level first. Every officer understands the punishment for sexual promiscuity on the job or outside so shame on those who break it, but shame on the hypocracy of departments who knowingly hire guys who have been fired from other departments while simultaneously firing one of their own. And ultimately shame on our politicians who commit such offenses all the time. What is good for one is good for all.

More | 2:35 p.m. June 10, 2008

Like Robert said,, "only 21?" I believe there should have been more also.

Re. James J. | 4:20 p.m. June 10, 2008

To James J. you hit the nail on head. He cannot be trusted again. I am also sick of everyone making excuses for these people. They are in positions of authority of whom we are to turn to in times of trouble. How can we tell our children to turn to them when we adults cannot trust them. The board was right in keeping his post certification revoked. His word would mean nothing when it came to testifying in a court of law. My hat is off to you James J. for reminding everyone what this individual did.

I agree!! | 4:55 p.m. June 10, 2008

I am in total agreement with James J. and Red Smith.

I'm sorry to sound so cynical, but I have lost ALL faith in our public servants, particularly the police and the judicial system.

Jeweli | 6:42 p.m. June 10, 2008

I ended a relationship with a West Bountiful Police officer when I found out he was married. Two years later POST officials called, we met, and they interviewed the both of us. I passed the lie detector and even gave the POST officials a copy of the answering machine tape with his messages on it. I cooperated fully, and still nothing ever came of it. Post only called me because he was harassing another woman. He only harassed me after I broke up with him. Way to go POST. It's easier to see what is going on when your heads aren't in the sand.

Missouri Mike | 6:48 p.m. June 10, 2008

My hat is off to the men in uniform. Are they perfect? No! Are the majority of them good, honest men? I would tend to say yes. You people out west should be grateful for the P.O.S.T. certification process and the fact that officers are expected to maintain high standards. I only wish we had P.O.S.T here in Missouri.

Bravo to the woman who stands by her man! May God bless the two of you to overcome this terrible hurdle and to know happiness.

Do some cops get too radical on handing out tickets? You bet! Do some citizens get by without receiving tickets that they well deserve. You know you do.

I agree with those who suggest holding our politicians and judges to such high standards. All in favor, raise your hand.

skeletons | 7:55 p.m. June 10, 2008

I feel most officers forget the basic elements of the human heart. A good many show signs of being narcissistic, and if you dig deep enough into their past you will probable find a some have done drugs themselves, or still doing drugs, or have other skeletons in their closets that boarder on breaking the law. I agree that Mr. Zamatakes (lets call him what he is, no longer chief) should no longer hold a job where honor and integrity is a must. But what about his subordinates that hid and condoned his activities? Are they not guilty to a certain degree for hiding his indiscretions? I feel law enforcement needs to be re-evaluated and perhaps increase pay to attract more educated people with no less that an undergraduate degree. All the old timers that moved up because they were grandfathered in need to retire making room for more agile and better educated up to date officers.

Police officers | 9:10 p.m. June 10, 2008

should be paid the same as doctors, but they should also have to go to school for 8 years. This way it wouldn't be so easy to be a cop...and you may get some people with real dedication who are more educated.

Education | 9:39 p.m. June 10, 2008

I believe is a must. And I don't just mean the education they are sent to after being hired. Most officers are oblivious to laws in their state. If officers held the minimal undergraduate in criminal justice it is with a degree of certainty that they have completed a course or two in ethics.

A sad day | 11:43 p.m. June 10, 2008

These officers get a slap on the hand and keep their jobs while the ordinary citizen goes to jail for the same things! Great system we have going for us.

re: Sad Day | 10:47 a.m. June 11, 2008

Please refer me to a case where someone goes to jail for a consensual affair, which is what the majority of those officers were punished for. You also failed to read that the officers certification is suspended for at least 3 years. For the ignorant(such as you), that means they can't work in law enforcement for at least 3 years, not they "get a slap on the hand and get to keep their jobs...". Now, isn't it time you checked in with your parole officer?

re-anonymous | 6:35 p.m. June 11, 2008

Before you make comments know the facts it happened on duty several times during a 3 year period (THAT IS A FACTS).

Not to mention | 1:28 p.m. June 12, 2008

Zamatakes can't ever work in law enforcement again. His officers certification was revoked! Not just suspended. Do you think that is a little harsh?

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