[Part I]

An isolated incident – Part II

A mile or so in both directions from the traffic stop, identical vans at the nearest access points, bearing logos of a local utility and flashing yellow lights had closed the highway with traffic cones stretched across the lanes. Anyone pulling up was told by a worker in a nondescript khaki jumpsuit, sunglasses and hard hat that there were high-power lines down across the road and they had to detour. One dark blue Suburban, identical to the stopped vehicle rolled down the road and slowly approached the incident.

Conor and the two officers had been talking for a while, the officers being all but apologetic for doing what they were doing, and Conor calmly questioning the ethics of it and encouraging the men to reconsider. As the second Suburban slowly rounded into view the conversation took a turn.

Conor stated “the only difference between this being a robbery and an asset forfeiture is that you have badges and robbers don’t”. This did not sit well with the officers, but Conor continued “if I was armed, and you weren’t, those badges wouldn’t protect you, would they”?

McGee and Bladen glared intently at Conor. Bladen inquired “are you threatening us”? He may have been slightly regretting returning the K-9 to their SUV, but Conor hadn’t seemed to be a bad guy, just someone a little unlucky.

Conor shot back “no, not really. I am pointing out that between the guns you have and the badges, you seem to feel yourselves quite secure in doing something that even a child would recognize as wrong. After all, suppose I do go to court and prevail against this ‘forfeiture’ – which I will – then what consequences will fall on you for the attempt? None, right? You have qualified immunity and this falls within accepted practice and law. You’ll simply do this again, as you have done it before.”

McGee and Bladen were quite focused on Conor and only tangentially aware of the Suburban coming to a stop. When they turned to give the vehicle a better look, they were staring down two barrels of high powered semi-automatic rifles as the doors on the opposite side flew open and two more armed men came around the vehicle. There was no chance of going for their own weapons, so they just raised their hands. All told, four M-1As were trained on the two officers who now turned back to Conor.

McGee, barely able to restrain his fear and attempting to be in control demanded “what the fuck is this? Who are you and what do you think you are doing?” Conor motioned the two to stand closer, slipped on a pair of gloves, and stepped forward and pulled the Glocks from their holsters. He asked “back up pieces?” and proceeded to pat down each. Bladen indeed had an ankle holster with a Glock 26. Conor then removed the Tasers and spray canisters from their belts. He also collected their radios. The two cops felt all but naked.

Conor then spoke “you don’t really need to know who we are. What we are doing is holding corruption to account. One of the men behind you had been caught in exactly this situation not too long ago, on this very highway. He may know if you are the same cops pulling the same routine, but even that doesn’t matter. It isn’t personal. You had your chances to not do this, to respond to my challenges about the ethics of it. But you are cynical opportunists and you do what you do without regard for the harm you inflict on others or the degradation you bring upon your own institution, right at it’s very foundation. This group, and myself, we want that to stop; and since there are no lawful means to that end, we are getting justice in less refined terms.”