" The law has been there for over five years", observed Sgt. Reggie
Smathers, spokesperson for the California Law Enforcement Officers Association
referring to the groundbreaking legislation of 1997 that ended smoking in enclosed
spaces in the Golden State, “but no one was really paying attention. We
think they will now" he finished, with a sly smile.
Police officers, sheriff's deputies, and CHP officers may now punch any smoker
in violation once, hard in the stomach, regardless of age, disability, health,
race, or any other consideration. An officer does not have to punch, however:
The law allows the offender to be held down by as many as four other officers
or "cooperative civilians" and urinated on by the citing officer.
The final option is to write a ticket for as much as a $240 dollar fine. An offender
cannot receive any combination of these punishments for a single offense: the
citing officer must choose just one. Most have chosen the first option.
" So many bad guys get away scott free. It's really satisfying just to be
able to punch an offender in the stomach once in a while," said one officer
who wished to remain anonymous.
The constitutionality of this law is under some scrutiny and will be reviewed
by the California Supreme Court this week.
Written
by Faux-Newz Staff Writer
Tom Cox
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