My Letter to the Chief

Chief of Police December 1, 2005
Roger A Schroeder
c/o Jefferson City Police Department
401 Monroe St
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

Dear Chief:

I am writing to inquire about the recent covert operations in Binder Park to crack down on sexual misconduct. I have a concern surrounding any operation of this kind because of the history of misconduct of other police departments around the country when engaged in similar sting operations.

Numerous court cases have deemed these concentrated efforts to rid parks of this type of conduct as illegal. Decoys were often challenged in court as entrapment and an undercover officer trying to lure a gay man into a lewd act cannot be presumed to be offended by the conduct. Furthermore communities around the country have found that not only are these undertakings a waste of our resources but unfairly target gay men.

Your department states they plan on continuing covert operations in the future. My hope is you are cognizant of the inherent problems associated with this type of police work and are taking measures to ensure your actions are fair and legal. Please note the community will be watching your actions and will not hesitate to speak out if this turns into a “witch hunt”.

Sincerely:
John Cook