NYPD Detective Accused of Hiring Email Hackers 74
An anonymous reader writes "Edwin Vargas, a detective with the New York City Police Department, was arrested on Tuesday for computer hacking crimes. According to the complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court, between March 2011 and October 2012, Vargas, an NYPD detective assigned to a precinct in the Bronx, hired an e-mail hacking service to obtain log-in credentials, such as the password and username, for certain e-mail accounts. In total, he purchased access to at least 43 personal e-mail accounts belonging to 30 different individuals, including at least 19 who are affiliated with the NYPD."
These are the people that most citizens depend on (Score:5, Insightful)
When I was hired as a fireman, one of the things my new chief told me was that when you accept that badge, people have a certain level of expectation for trustworthiness, and anything you do - illegal or not - will no longer be reported as "man" or "suspect" in the arena of public opinion, but now it becomes "fireman cut me off on the highway" or "Firefighter acts like a douchebag in grocery store". And then it reflects on all firemen, no matter how unfair that can be.
This cop has just done the entire law enforcement profession a great disservice, but the public trust of law enforcement is wearing thin as it is at this point...
Re:These are the people that most citizens depend (Score:5, Insightful)
Once again, a woman is to blame. It's usually either that, or money.
The reason for the digital snooping appeared to be personal, law enforcement officials said: Detective Vargas, 42, suspected a former girlfriend — also an employee of the Police Department, an official said — had started a new relationship with a fellow officer.
So... it's the woman's fault that the pig she dumped turned out to be a stalker?
Wow. Just.... just wow.
Reality check (Score:4, Insightful)
From TFA:
"Of all places, the police department is not a workplace where one should have to be concerned about an unscrupulous fellow employee." commented FBI Assistant Director in Charge George Venizelos.
Hmm, let me fix that for you, Mr Venizelos:
"Of all places, the police department is the workplace where one should be most concerned about an unscrupulous fellow employee."
Glad I could help.